Thank you
Blackpool
St Georges
day saw the Winter Gardens Arena filled with advice agencies from the town with
one common goal to offer help and advice to Blackpool’s Private Tenants.
The event
itself was organised by a partnership with Blackpool Residents Federation and
Blackpool Borough Council both who have been working together over the past 6
months, along with several other agencies to develop a Private Tenants Forum
where private tenants who have any
issues or just need general advice regarding their rights and obligations as
tenants can be signposted to the relevant body to get that help.
The event
itself was manned by over 30 different agencies from the Residents Federation,
to Housing Benefits, Homelessness, Loan Shark Campaign, Citizens Advice, Police
and Fire advisers Sure Start, legal representatives , Housing associations and
many more.
The day was
started with an opening address by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Val Haynes.
Joan Humble
M.P. was also there and her words were an inspiration to us all when she was
amazed at the number of advisers under one roof and as she pointed out “this is
just the beginning”.
I would
like to take the opportunity to express special thanks in four places.
First and
foremost a massive thank you must go to Christine Wright of the Federation and
Fred Barnes of Blackpool Council who have over the past months been the main
organisers of the event and have been the lynch pin of the development group.
Secondly
thanks go to all the Blackpool Residents Federation members who rallied round
on the day to direct people to the relevant agency stands and to meet and greet
people as they entered the building.
Thirdly a
big thank you to the Winter Gardens staff who couldn’t have been more helpful
in making the day go smoothly and the buffet, well “absolutely superb” just
doesn’t cover it.
Last but not least thank you to the Private tenants who
came in their hundreds. To an onlooker it didn’t seem like a massive turnout
and by percentages it probably wasn’t when you consider there are about 20,000
plus private tenants in Blackpool, but an exit poll carried out estimated that
in the 6 hours of the event over 200 had passed through the doors which is
pretty good for a first time event.
David
Wright (Secretary, Blackpool Residents Federation)
Pictures from the Day
Deputy Mayor's opening address
A few words from Fred and encouragement from Joan Humble M.P.
The Residents Federation team
Group Photo
Chris and Fred (co ordinators)
Joan Humble with Denise (one of our colleagues from Cumbria)
Starting to get busy
Ann, Bruce and Maggie, meeting and greeting outside the venue
Need some advice?
One of the many stands
;)
Muir Housing (one of our supporters)
Deputy Mayor Val Haynes presenting flowers to Chris
from the members of the Federation
Buffet time
Happy Birthday to the Fed
Exit Survey
An exit survey was taken from tenants willing to participate.
25% of the vistors filled in a short questionaire which also entered them into a free prize draw
Question 1
How did you hear about the event?
30% (Radio)
20% (Word of mouth)
18% (Other means)
16% (Poster / Flyer)
8% (Newspaper)
8% (no answer)
Question 2.
Was the event helpful to you?
98% Yes
2% didn't answer
Question 3.
Would you like to see more events like this?
96% Yes
2% No
2% didn't answer
Question 4
Were there any stands not here today you would like to see?
80% Happy with stands on show
12% said they wanted stands which were actually there
4% said "Blue badge scheme"
2% said "Age Concern"
2% said "Making Space"
Question 5
How would you rate the event out of 10?
40%------10 out of 10
18%------9 out of 10
34%------8 out of 10
6%-------7 out of 10
2%-------5 out of 10
Average score-------8.9
All questionaires were entered into a free draw and the winner was Mrs Dempsey
Chris presenting Mrs Dempsy with the hamper.
