We're pleased to say the next Resident Newsletter is now available!
You can either read on below or, if you would prefer, you can download and print - Customer Newsletter - Spring 2024[pdf] 161KB
If you have a story for us, or would like to share your thoughts, ideas or feedback, email us at involvement@estuary.co.uk or call 0300 304 5000.
This time around it’s a Customer Takeover, where you’ll hear mainly from us, The Resident Voice and Influence Panel (RVIP). Since the last edition, there’s been a lot going on at Estuary and within our group. First and foremost, we’d like to thank our Estate Services team for organising the Great British Spring Clean litter-picking days at the Woodgrange Drive Estate, The Courtyard, and School Way areas. It was so uplifting to see Estuary staff, RVIP members and, most importantly, children taking part. If you would like to get involved in this or any of our other events, follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstuaryResidents
To find out when our next events are or email in with your suggestions, contact us on: involvement@estuary.co.uk
Working together to create a better environment for all of us is important. This is why we’ve also been undertaking an in-depth analysis of fly-tipping through our scrutiny boot camp. We’ve a strong voice in creating recommendations for improving how we manage fly-tipping and are working with Estuary on how best to tackle this issue.
In repairs, we’re excited at the launch of the new Chatbot service, more on that later. We’ve also been attending some training with TPAS on how to question those working at Estuary effectively and hold them to account. We’ve conducted mock interviews with the Chief Executive, Ian Martin as well as members of the executive team Abigail Ellis, Helen Gregory, Jeremy Jacobs and Michael Hadjimichael. It’s vital that we develop our skills in this area to better represent you.
The summer months are fast approaching, and with it will come the Customer Voice Roadshow 2024! The location stops for the roadshow are yet to be set, but we’ll make sure they’re different from last year so we can reach as many customers as possible.
We look forward to seeing you at the roadshows and hearing your views on Estuary’s services.
We have received funding from our contractors, Purdeys, and are delighted to announce we will soon be launching a discount scheme in partnership with Housing Perks.
The Housing Perks app will enable you to receive a discount on many everyday items for all major supermarkets and over 100 national retailers: including ASDA, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Primark, Currys, Argos, Iceland and many others.
We will be adding further information to our website and Facebook page shortly, so please watch out for this great chance to make some savings.
We’re a resident-led group (RVIP), holding Estuary to account. You might have seen us out and about; we were at the Customer Voice Roadshows last year and got to meet with many customers there.
We’d love to add to our numbers, so if you’d like to join us, please email involvement@estuary.co.uk or call 0300 304 5000.
You can also find out more about us on the customer website:
https://estuary.co.uk/residentvip
We know it’s not always convenient to make a phone call to report a repair, so we’ve been working with Axis to make this easier for you.
Our brand new Chatbot will be available in Your Online Account in the coming weeks.
Using this service, you’ll be able to book appointment times that suit you and check existing appointments without having to wait on the phone.
This is only available to customers who are signed up to our Your Online Account, so if you’re not registered, hop on over to Your Online Account and sign up!
Of course, if you prefer to speak with one of the Axis advisors on the phone, or you have an emergency, our usual way of reporting will remain, call Axis on 0808 169 1969.
If you think you’d like to use the Chatbot, but you’re not sure how, we have you covered. Estuary and Axis are running a “How to” webinar on Thursday 23rd May at 10am - register your interest at https://bit.ly/ChatBotWebinarEstuary
We’re delighted to highlight the incredible work of Axis in supporting local charities.
This year, they’ve worked with the St. Vincent Centre (SVP) Southend, a charity who provides vital support to our community’s vulnerable individuals.
Axis has proudly collaborated with SVP Southend, ensuring their food bank is stocked, and clothes parcels are available.
Additionally, in partnership with Axis, we’ve funded the Barney & Echo Mindfulness Project in Southend schools, promoting children’s emotional well-being.
Axis have also supported the Home Grown 2024 initiative, where families have been offered free online family growing courses!
Our ever-popular Estuary in Bloom is back for 2024.
Take a look at the Estuary In Bloom page, where you’ll find details of our 2023 winners and our categories for this year.
This year we have a new photography option for those who are less keen or able to grow, but appreciate what nature has to offer.
If something isn’t right and you need to complain, we want to hear about it.
Our complaints process is accessible in a number of formats, please visit our Feedback, Compliments and Complaints area for full details.