Peabody Trust needed to support new Board members who are residents to understand the role and how to make an effective contribution to the board.

A coaching programme with an existing Resident Governor resulted in the ideas and material for a Resident Governor Self Help Guide.

This web enabled Guide contains ten short self help activities and includes a useful self review at the end along with links to web and print resources. Particularly helpful are example questions a Resident Governor needs to ask in a variety of different situations and tips on how to exercise influence using powerful non verbal behaviour.

Moat Housing Group needed to ensure the visibility to staff of its directors; staff surveys had revealed that staff in outlying offices felt they didn’t see their leaders enough. In addition recent organisational changes meant leaders needed to reconfirm and share their views on the organisation’s values whilst a busy agenda had resulted in less shared ‘Director Team time’.

The solution was to use part of a 2 day retreat for the Directors to prepare a video communication on each of the organisation’s four values. These one minute Moat Messages were developed and recorded by the directors over one afternoon; the result was a natural communication piece that supported team working. It’s versatility is proven, shown at the Staff Conference and also capable of being viewed on the web and plasma screens in reception it has enhance the visibility and key messages of the Directors to all staff and visitors.

For Festival Housing a Community Project Programme supports the company’s CSR goals for the organisation, develops selected leaders to achieve the organisation’s CertM qualification and is a focus for the career succession plan.

The programme lasts for several months; participants use action learning methods and are supported by a bespoke website in managing this ‘real time’ project and tracking their learning.

Participants benefit from the support of a personal coach and use online project management and knowledge tools accessed from the site; a personal learning log provides evidence for qualifications and helpful CPD. Key stakeholders, in this case local schools, benefit from the development of an initiative which enhances the community partnership between housing and schools.