Tenant involvement opportunities
Could you help shape decisions that affect tenants and leaseholders across Barnsley? Become a Tenant Board Member or Customer Services Committee Member.
Nobody understands our services better than the people who use them every day. We’re looking for people who live in the homes we manage to join our Board or Customer Services Committee, helping us make better decisions and improve services across Barnsley.
You don’t need previous experience, formal qualifications or a leadership background. We’re looking for people who care about their community, who are willing to share their views and help make a difference. We’ll work with you, so you have all the training and support you need to make sure the tenant voice is at the heart of what we do.
Become a Tenant Board Member
Help us keep tenants and leaseholders at the heart of our plans for the future, by sharing your views at the top table where important decisions are made.
What’s involved?
Around two days a month (including meetings and preparation)
Attend six board and four committee meetings a year at Gateway Plaza or in the community.
Read information before meetings so you can take part in discussions.
Share your views, ask questions and help make sure tenant experiences are heard.
Take part in training and development opportunities.
Payment of £3,774 per year (paid monthly).
Read the Tenant Board Member role profile to find out more.
Join our Customer Services Committee
We’re recruiting two tenants or leaseholders to join our Customer Services Committee. The committee helps make sure we listen to tenants, deliver excellent services and have plans in place to respond to known issues. This role gives you a great opportunity to have a real say in how services are delivered!
What’s involved?
Attend four committee meetings a year at Gateway Plaza or in the community.
Read information before meetings so you can take part in discussions.
Share your views, ask questions and help make sure tenant experiences are heard.
Take part in training and development opportunities.
Payment of £1,850 per year (paid monthly).
Read the Customer Services Committee Member role profile to find out more.
Who we're looking for
You might be right for one of these roles if you:
Care about improving homes and services.
Are willing to share your views and experiences.
Want to learn new skills and ask questions about our work. You can visit this page to learn more about what we do.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and anyone who brings a different perspective. A range of views helps us make better decisions and better reflect the communities we serve.
If you’ve never done anything like this before, don’t worry as we’ll support you every step of the way.
Meet Gez, current Tenant Board Member
Want to know what it's like to be part of our Board?
Hear from Gez, our current Tenant Board Member: “I applied because I wanted to better understand how Berneslai Homes works and help make sure tenants’ views are heard at the highest level.
"Since joining the Board, I’ve found it really interesting and rewarding. The training and support have helped me feel confident, and I’ve been able to share my experiences as a tenant to help shape decisions.
"I’d encourage any tenant thinking about applying to go for it. You don’t need to know everything when you start. It’s a great opportunity to have your voice heard, learn new skills and help improve services for tenants.”
How to apply
To apply, please answer these three questions:
Why are you interested in becoming a Tenant Board Member or Customer Services Committee Member?
What skills, knowledge or life experience would you bring to the role?
How could your experience as a Berneslai Homes tenant or leaseholder help improve services for people living in the homes we manage?
You don’t need to write long answers or know which role you’d like to apply for at this stage. We just want to understand why you’re interested, what you could bring to a role and how your experience as a tenant could help shape services.
Completed questions should be submitted to governance@berneslaihomes.co.uk by midnight on Sunday 4 October. You must also complete the linked declaration form as part of your application.
After you’ve applied, we may invite you to an informal chat on Monday 19 October. This is so we can get to know you better, talk through the role(s), and give you the chance to ask questions.
If you’d like to talk to us before applying, we can come to your local community hub for a chat. We can also support you with your application. Please call us on 01226 774263 or email governance@berneslaihomes.co.uk to find out more.
Frequently asked questions
No. We're looking for people who can bring their experience, views and ideas. Full training and support will be provided.
Board members help make important decisions about the future direction of Berneslai Homes.
Customer Services Committee members focus more on making sure we listen to tenant views, deliver excellent services, and have plans in place to resolve any issues we know about and that they are acted on.
Both roles involve reading information, attending meetings, asking questions and sharing your experience as a tenant.
The time needed depends on which role you take on.
Tenant board members attend board meetings throughout the year and will also join a committee meeting, held at Gateway Plaza or out in the community. They also need time to read meeting papers, take part in training and attend other board-related activities.
Customer Services Committee members will attend four committee meetings a year, held in person at Gateway Plaza or in the community. Meetings last around two hours, and you’ll also need some time to read the papers before each meeting.
Board members receive a payment of £3,774 per year. Customer Services Committee tenant members receive a payment of £1,850 per year. Both roles are paid monthly.
Yes and you don’t need to know how boards or committees work before you join. We’ll provide an induction, training and ongoing support to help you build your confidence and take part in the role.
Yes, but you’ll be supported to share your feedback. Both roles involve sharing your views, asking questions and taking part in discussions. Your experience as a tenant is valuable, and we’ll help you feel confident to contribute to discussions.
Absolutely. We're interested in your experience as a tenant, your willingness to learn, and your commitment to help make a difference.
You’ll get the chance to build your confidence, learn new skills and better understand how Berneslai Homes works. You’ll meet new people, share your views with senior leaders, and help shape services that affect you, your home and your community.
Yes. We want everyone to feel able to take part as a board or committee member. If you need any reasonable adjustments to help you carry out the role, please let us know and we’ll talk this through with you.
If you’d like an informal chat about either role before applying, please contact the Governance team. You can call us on 01226 774263 or email governance@berneslaihomes.co.uk.