The sweet taste of success for Merlin
28 Oct 2009
Merlin Housing Society residents are amongst the most satisfied in the country according to the results of a standard social housing survey.
82% of them said they were satisfied with the organisation as a landlord in the survey carried out in July, well above the average for the 190 housing associations across the UK who carry out the same survey.
This sweet taste of success arrived too late to make it into the society’s annual report calendar cookbook which was launched this week, but have still gone down a treat with residents.
Chief executive Ian Matthews said: “These results are a real vindication of the work we have done in the past two-and-a-half years. It’s really pleasing to know that our residents can see the improvements we have made. The increase in satisfaction levels among our residents is a testament to the hard work of our staff.
“But we know we can do even better. We are working hard to improve all of the services we provide so that we can meet our vision of being a first class provider of housing and related services for communities across South Gloucestershire.”
The score is an increase of 11 percentage points from 2006 when the survey was last carried out, when satisfaction levels were at 71%.
The survey was sent to all of Merlin’s 7,600 residents and more than 3,600 responded, a response rate of 47%.
As well as being happy with Merlin’s performance, residents also expressed high levels of satisfaction with the quality of their home, 85%, and the area where they live 87%.
The results of the survey will form part of Merlin’s annual report next year, but this year it’s the recipe book which has really gone down a treat with residents.
Earlier in the year residents were asked to send in their favourite recipes. A panel of residents then selected the best of the bunch to include in the report.
Among the mouth-watering dishes selected are Caribbean chicken, chilli and garlic steak stir fry and lemon curd cake. Residents will now be asked to vote for their favourite recipe. The winning cook will receive a place on a cookery course at top Bristol restaurant Bordeaux Quay.