As well as improving services and holding Riverside to account, the Riverside Inquirers Scrutiny Panel has also delivered significant social value.
Volunteer input
During the last review, the panel had volunteered more than 300 hours in the assessment period. Using an hourly rate of £11.09, as recommended by the Community Development Foundation,* the overall volunteer value was £3,327.
Training and personal development Riverside Inquirers have attended up to 13 training sessions, which they
found useful and said helped improve knowledge and skills.
The Inquirers also found being part of the panel improved their skills and personal development. They were
asked questions on well-being and skills when they joined the panel and again, a year later, they were asked to
rate key areas from one to 10. The results show positive changes on all measures.
|
|
Panel member 1 |
Panel member 2 |
||||
|
|
March 2015 |
March 2016 |
Overall change |
March 2015 |
March 2016 |
Overall change |
|
Emotional |
4 |
8 |
+4 |
3 |
9 |
+6 |
|
Knowledge of Riverside |
2 |
9 |
+7 |
4 |
9 |
+5 |
|
Confidence |
4 |
9 |
+5 |
4 |
8 |
+4 |
|
Social networks |
4 |
8 |
+4 |
4 |
8 |
+4 |
|
Communication |
3 |
9 |
+6 |
3 |
8 |
+5 |
|
Focus/attention |
2 |
8 |
+6 |
4 |
7 |
+3 |
|
Time management |
2 |
7 |
+5 |
5 |
8 |
+3 |
|
Leadership |
2 |
7 |
+5 |
5 |
8 |
+3 |
|
Teamwork |
2 |
8 |
+6 |
4 |
8 |
+4 |
|
Motivation |
4 |
8 |
+4 |
5 |
8 |
+3 |
This was supported by the comments given by panel members, including:
“I can say that my eyes have been opened to new things and how housing associations run and make decisions.”
“Being a panel member has made a big difference to me. My confidence has improved significantly.”
“Before becoming an Inquirer I would have run to the hills if someone said I had to do a presentation, but now I feel confident and can present to the Board, no problem.”
“My confidence levels have grown so much since joining the panel, so has my knowledge of housing too.”