There’s a real buzz in the air — and it’s not just the sound of lawnmowers or birdsong. This spring, Staffs Housing teams have been out and about across our communities, getting hands-on during our latest round of scheme walkabouts.
So, why do we do them? It’s simple: we want to make it easier for you to speak to us, to tell us what’s going well — and what could be better — so we can keep improving your homes and the services you rely on.
This month, staff from across our Board, Neighbourhood, Property, and Involvement teams visited schemes in Tunstall, Wolstanton, Cheadle, and Cheshire East, taking the time to listen, learn, and take action.
Face-to-face in Tunstall — with a special guest
In Tunstall, Neighbourhood Officer Laura, Neighbourhood Manager Danielle, Estates Team Leader Dan, and Property Surveyor Steve were on hand to speak with residents and see firsthand what needed attention — from leaking overflow taps and broken fencing to blocked gutters and fly tipping. Thanks to your feedback, all of these issues have been reported and are now in the works.
We were also joined by a very special guest — Peter Hay, Chair of the Honeycomb Group Board, who took part in the walkabout and spent the morning chatting with residents.
“I had a brilliant morning,” said Peter. “What really stood out was how well-connected our staff are to the people they support. There’s a real culture of care and commitment here, and it was inspiring to see how confident and empowered residents felt to share their feedback.”
Peter and other members of the Board are looking forward to attending scheme walkabouts later this summer, and to meeting even more of you along the way.
Rolling up our sleeves in Cheadle
Neighbourhood Officer Vicki and Customer Voice Specialist Jayne joined the walkabouts in Cheadle, visiting Cecily Terrace, Cumberland House, High Street, Churchfield Court, and Osborne House.
At Cecily Terrace, a loose fence and missing washing line were raised — both are now lined up for repair. Over at Churchfield Court, overgrown ivy, damaged fascia boards, and a dumped fridge were reported and removed, with the maintenance team scheduling follow-up work.
Beyond fixing physical issues, Jayne used the visit to speak to residents about how they can get more involved, shaping how services are delivered and improved.
“These walkabouts are about more than maintenance,” said Jayne. “They’re about staff — listening to what matters to our customers, and making sure their voices are heard.”
Getting our hands dirty
It wasn’t just a box-ticking exercise — our teams rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in. From picking up litter to reporting issues on the spot and arranging urgent repairs, we were there to make an immediate difference.
At Osborne House, one resident raised concerns about a faulty rear gate that’s been patched up multiple times. Now, instead of another short-term fix, we’re arranging a full replacement to make sure it’s safe and secure long-term.
We’re listening — and we’re acting
Scheme walkabouts are a key part of how we’re making it easier for you to do business with us. As part of this initiative, we’re coming to you, right on your doorstep and in your community.
And this is just the beginning. We’ll be carrying out walkabouts throughout the year, so keep an eye out for when we’ll be in your area — and don’t forget, your voice really does make a difference.
If you can’t make it to a walkabout but still want to raise an issue or chat to your team, get in touch:
📧 neighbourhoods@staffshousing.org.uk
📞 01782 744533
To find out more about how you can get involved in shaping our services, visit www.honeycombgroup.org.uk/customer or contact us:
📧 involve@honeycombgroup.org.uk
📞 01782 744533
