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The Resident Members Charter
When residents from our Active Residents Network told us the old shareholding offer didn’t give them enough say, we listened and acted. Together, we co-created the Resident Members Charter: a powerful way to make sure your voice truly shapes our services.
After a formal consultation in March 2025, resident shareholders gave their approval at a Special General Meeting in June.
The Charter is our long-term promise to put resident views at the heart of decision-making. And through the Eastlight Community Gateway Circle, we’ll bring people together for activities that boost accountability, transparency, communication and inclusion, so your voice doesn’t just get heard, it drives real change.
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Join us at the Resident Members Charter launch event
Be among the first to explore how the Charter is changing Eastlight and how your voice is now part of the rules! Join us to learn more about the Eastlight Community Gateway Circle, connect with fellow residents, and enjoy a free, delicious lunch. What’s not to love?
When: Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: Eastlight House, Charter Way, Braintree, CM77 8FG -
What does this mean for you?
The Charter not only builds trust and creates value and influence through meaningful resident engagement, it also ensures that residents can act as long-term custodians for Eastlight's role in the community.
Specifically, we will:
- Provide opportunities for residents to scrutinise performance and get involved in improving service quality
- Provide opportunities for meaningful two-way dialogue and embedding residents’ views, ensuring that ideas and content are sourced from local communities
- Ensure that diverse needs and preferences are considered when engaging in activities within the Eastlight Community Gateway Circle.
The Eastlight Community Gateway Circle explained
Following a series of online and in-person workshops, plus phone calls, the following circle was created by residents. This brings together all activities into one place.
Eastlight resident, Tammy, said: "We created the circle to connect everything together, so that all the really good stuff that happens in different places in Eastlight joins up. We also wanted to improve communication, and this circle reflects something continuous, with no 'us and them'."
Eastlight Resident Members
As an Eastlight resident, you’re invited to become a Resident Member, a simple step that opens the door to making a real impact. You’ll get your own Membership card and regular updates through the Active Residents Network newsletter, filled with chances to share your views, join activities and help shape the future of your community. We’d love to have you on board!
Scrutiny and Service Improvement Activity
Our resident-led scrutiny programme empowers Resident Members to play an active role in shaping our services. Through this initiative, the CIC will identify key areas of the business for closer examination.
Members will have the opportunity to get involved in meaningful activities, such as surveys and workshops, that explore your day-to-day experiences. Your insights will directly influence improvements and help drive real, lasting change.
Charter Steering Group
This passionate group of residents helped design Eastlight’s new offer and are now working side by side with Eastlight staff to bring it to life. Together, they’re making sure the Charter is more than just words by turning it into real, lasting change for our communities.
Active Residents Network
If you’re passionate about your home, your community and making things better, the Active Residents Network is for you. It’s open to anyone who wants to share their ideas and experiences to help shape Eastlight’s services. As a member, you’ll receive regular newsletters packed with opportunities to get involved, give feedback and help drive positive change.
Eastlight Residents' Groups
Want to make a real difference in your neighbourhood? Join one of our Eastlight Residents’ Groups (ERGs) where residents and staff team up to improve local communities through quarterly meetings, estate walkabouts, and dedicated budgets for community projects. We currently have three groups:
- ERG Mid – Braintree and surrounding villages
- ERG South – Witham and surrounding villages
- ERG North – Halstead and surrounding villages
And we’re excited to launch a new group for the Colchester area soon!
Community voices
We know many residents want to be a bridge between Eastlight and their communities but often don’t get the information or support they need to play that role confidently. This is especially true in areas where Eastlight owns fewer homes. We’re working to change that, so every voice can be heard and every community can feel connected.
Board and Committees
Our Customer Influence Committee (CIC) puts residents at the heart of Eastlight’s decision-making. Appointed by the Board, the CIC is a part of Eastlight's Governance structure. Together, they use real insight and lived experience to make sure your voice reaches the top and helps shape not just Eastlight, but the wider housing sector. It’s a powerful way to turn your perspective into progress.
Resident communication
You told us you want better communication and we’ve listened. That’s why it’s now a key focus within the Community Gateway Circle, giving you more chances to shape how we connect with you. From the letters you receive to the pages of Shine Magazine, your voice is helping us get it right.
Resident events and consultation
We host exclusive events for Resident Members to hear your views and keep you in the loop. And when big changes are proposed, you’ll be among the first to be consulted, in line with housing regulations. It’s all about making sure your voice helps shape Eastlight’s future, every step of the way.
Calendar of activities you can get involved with
Want to sign up to an activity? Click here.
September |
October |
| 1st - ARN newsletter | 1st - ARN Newsletter |
| 9th - ERG South quarterly meeting | 7th - Shine Magazine published |
| 10th - ERF Mid quarterly meeting | 15th - ERG North quarterly meeting |
| 19th - Annual Report for Customers published | 21st - CIC meeting |
| 23rd - Resident Members Charter launch event at Eastlight House | 28th - Reviewing initial support arrears letters |
| TBC - Service Charge scrutiny group meeting 1 | |
| TBC - Steering Group meeting | |
| TBC - Customer Voice report published | |
| TBC - Launch of Resident Academy three-part video mini-series | |
November |
December |
| 1st - ARN newsletter | 1st - ARN Newsletter |
| 9th - ERG Colchester welcoming meeting | 9th - ERG North quarterly meeting |
| 11th - ERG South community walkabout | 9th - ERG South quarterly meeting |
| 12th - ERG Mid community walkabout | 10th - ERG Mid quarterly meeting |
| 25th - ERG North community walkabout | TBC - Reviewing New Homes Strategy |
| TBC - Health & Safety Policy review | TBC - Steering Group meeting |
| TBC - Service Charge scrutiny group meeting 2 | TBC - Service Charge scrutiny group meeting - 3 |
| TBC - Place-based launch mini-events | |
January |
February |
| 1st - ARN newsletter | 1st - ARN Newsletter |
| 29th - CIC meeting | 10th - Shine Magazine published |
| TBC - Complex repairs scrutiny group meeting (full day workshop) | 10th - ERG South community walkabout |
| TBC - Resident Members to attend Place-based community launch events | 24th - CV Writing Skills for Residents |
| TBC - New Homes Strategy Workshop | TBC - ERG North and Mid community walkabouts |
| TBC - Customer Voice report published | |
| TBC - Steering Group meeting | |
| TBC - Chair of the Board Recruitment (get involved with the interview process) | |
March |
Upcoming opportunities |
| 1st - ARN newsletter | Sept 2026 - Design Guide Workshop |
| 10th - ERG South quarterly meeting | Staff welcome events |
| 17th - Anti-social behaviour managing expectations workshop | Internal training |
| TBC - ERG North and Mid quarterly meeting | Staff recruitment |
| TBC - Resident Members help lead place-based door knock events | Housing for Older People events |
| TBC - Chair of the Board recruitment (get involved with the interview process) | Community door knocks |
