Apart from the local issues dealt with at our bi-monthly MERA meetings we have been able to ensure that residents are represented at all levels within Moat. We are regularly involved in the review of policies and procedures, through working groups and forums and are constantly seeking residents to help us at this level. These include a regular group dealing with sheltered and supported housing (the Older Persons Working Group), Regional Technical Forum, Group Technical Forum, Service Charge Working Group and Home News Editorial Team.

The Moat Residents Forum, which has representatives not only from our East Region but from the South and London areas, has direct access to the Board and has done some sterling work for residents over the years. The problems arising from incorrect service charges were discussed at length at these meetings and as a result the current team was set up and have been working very hard over the past year to try to ensure that service charges are accurate and clear. When it was discovered that residents were unable to cover the cost of replacement windows under their contents policies, the Forum raised the issue and, as a result, Moat have negotiated the necessary cover for all general needs residents through a policy with their own insurers.

Not the least of our successes has been the inclusion of residents at the very highest levels of governance. We have three Resident Board Members and one resident on each of the Sub-Committees of the Board.

In the East Region, our greatest success has been the establishment of a Resource Centre in the High Street at Maldon. This is run by a group of volunteers and acts as a drop in centre and provides advice and services to all residents as well as to the Maldon District in general. We are always looking for additional helpers as we are open from 10 to 5 Monday to Friday and from 10 till 1 on Saturdays. We all enjoy our work at the Centre and have learned a great deal as a result. We have been able to set up our own web site and the computers are available to all residents - we can even provide basic training. This year we are hoping to increase the availability of our services further across our region. Our IT expert has set up a scheme whereby residents as far away as Harlow and Hertfordshire, Tilbury and Southend, can contact us easily and use the facilities we have on offer.

We appreciate that not everyone enjoys attending meetings and we all have busy lives but, we cannot stress enough that unless residents let us know of their concerns and problems we cannot put things right. Why not contact us at the Resource Centre to discover whether we can help you or - indeed - whether you can help us. Call 01621 856438 or e mail us at rcm@mera-online.org.