Our Research team recently conducted a survey with our customers at Sawyers Close, where we’re undertaking on a much-needed redevelopment. The aim was to understand customers’ views on life on the estate and the services they receive. The survey was carried out in partnership with an external research agency, The Leadership Factor (TLF), who also support us with our Tenant Satisfaction Measures surveys.
Through this survey, we aimed to gather baseline evaluation data we’ll use to measure our overall success at redeveloping Sawyers Close and assess whether we’re delivering on the vision we set out at the start of the project. We received responses from 86 out of the 154 households we sent out the survey to, and their feedback has given us more awareness of the desire for improvement and the need for change.
We have a dedicated project team leading on the redevelopment of Sawyers Close, bringing together colleagues from our Regeneration, Housing & Community Investment and Communication teams.
A research report has been produced that outlines the survey findings and provides recommendations for the project team.
Here’s some of what our customers told us
- They reported a lower life satisfaction and sense of purpose, along with higher anxiety and lower happiness, compared to those in Windsor, Maidenhead and the UK overall.
- They were most satisfied with the quality of green spaces, Abri’s contributions to their community and the overall service Abri provides.
- When asked about the regeneration, they most often expressed excitement, concerns over slow progress and ongoing issues with their property or repairs.
To monitor satisfaction throughout the regeneration, we’ll be conducting a six-monthly ‘check-in’ survey. Our customers’ voices and insights will stay at the forefront of our decision making.
Finally, we’ll also carry out a post-project survey with customers, primarily over the phone, to measure what’s changed since this initial baseline survey and how we measure up against our vision for the redevelopment of Sawyers Close, which is that:
- our customers will be proud to say they live there and Abri will be proud to say these are our homes
- the community will thrive and our customers will enjoy the same (social, economic and environmental) outcomes as everyone else in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
- not only will the new homes be safe, warm and affordable, but our customers will also receive great services during the regeneration and long after the new homes are built. We’ll provide high quality communal areas, open spaces and more homes for those who need them
This large-scale evaluation is a first for Abri and is a significant step that’s in line with our commitment to creating thriving communities. It’ll improve our understanding of the needs of those we serve and provide valuable insight on what works well and what changes can be made to improve customer satisfaction.
Phoebe Clifford
Senior Researcher