• A group of older residents sitting inside a living room within one of our housing for older people schemes. The photo is taken from behind, so you cannot see their faces. They are looking towards an Eastlight staff member, who is standing in front of them, wearing a yellow jumper and dark trousers. She is looking down, taking notes on a notepad.

    Our approach

    We always place residents at the heart of our decision-making.

    Where residents may be significantly impacted by the decisions we make, we consult with them fairly, transparently and meaningfully, offering genuine opportunities for them to influence the outcomes that affect their homes and services.

    By using a range of accessible methods to gather feedback, we ensure all voices are heard. Information is shared clearly and accessibly, with enough time for residents to consider proposals and respond.

    We carefully review all feedback alongside wider evidence to inform our decisions. All outcomes are communicated openly and transparently, and appropriate support is provided where needed.

Our recent consultations

Read below how we've engaged with residents so their views inform and influence key decisions that affect them and their homes.

MAY 2026: Alertacall Service Consultation

A consultation was launched in April 2026 to gather resident views on whether to retain or remove the Alertacall system, a digital communication and safety service, installed in most Housing for Older Persons schemes.

Resident feedback on the system indicated mixed experiences, with some finding the system complex or of limited value, especially as existing safety measures were already in place across the schemes. The service also represented a notable cost to Eastlight.

The consultation aimed to ensure services remain relevant, easy to use and provide value for money.

Residents living in schemes where Alertacall devices were installed were invited to participate. Any majority vote and outcome then applied to all residents within each scheme.

If residents voted to reject Alertacall, the service would be discontinued and removed. If residents voted to keep Alertacall, a weekly charge would be introduced to residents. These conditions were communicated clearly and accessibly at the time of consultation.

Other existing safety systems (such as pull cords and emergency buttons) would remain in place regardless of the outcome.

Residents were asked to provide feedback through a structured voting process. Multiple response options were offered to ensure accessibility, including:

  • Online form submission
  • Paper forms returned locally
  • Email responses
  • Contact via Customer Services or the residents' Neighbourhood Lead
  • Direct engagement with residents at the affected schemes.

The consultation required a clear majority threshold, with at least 75% of responses needed in favour for the service to continue.

Timelines

  • April 2026: Formal consultation launched on the future of the service
  • May 2026: Deadline for residents to submit responses
  • TBC 2026: Final decision to be communicated to residents

Outcomes

TBC

No change will take place until the 2027 at the earliest, and we have encouraged residents to continue using the system until this time.

Overall impact

The consultation ensured residents could directly influence whether a non-essential service continues. It balanced resident preference with affordability considerations, with the goal of maintaining practical, accessible and cost-effective support services.

2025/26: Housing for Older People Consultation (Braintree)

A six-week consultation was carried out in early 2025 with residents living in four Housing for Older People schemes in the Braintree area. 

The aim was to gather feedback on residents’ current homes and future housing needs, including whether they would like to remain in their current home with Eastlight investing in strictly necessary works, or to move into a new home with Eastlight disposing of the scheme.

Residents living in four schemes in Braintree, Witham and Steeple Bumpstead were involved in the consultation.

Feedback was gathered through a mix of engagement approaches, including:

  • Resident letters and surveys
  • Email forms
  • Coffee mornings and informal discussions
  • Door-to-door conversations
  • Supporting analysis such as value for money and building viability assessments.

This ensured both qualitative resident feedback and technical evidence informed decision-making.

Timelines

  • Early 2025: Consultation with residents took place over six weeks with feedback gathered
  • December 2025: Decisions approved by the Development & Asset Management Committee
  • February 2026: Letters issued to residents confirming outcomes and next steps
  • March 2026 onwards: Affected resident rehousing support in place with no fixed move-out deadline.

Outcomes

Two schemes were decided to remain in use as a Housing for Older People Scheme, following consultation and engagement with residents in this building.

Two schemes were decided to be disposed of or repurposed, with residents supported to move to more suitable accommodation.

The decisions reflected the feedback from the vast majority of residents, particularly around concerns that shared facilities no longer meet their current or future needs.

Support for residents

A personalised and flexible approach is being taken to support those affected:

  • No fixed deadline for moving
  • One-to-one support to understand individual needs and preferences
  • Access to alternative housing options locally
  • Financial support, including statutory home loss payments and moving cost assistance.

Overall impact

The process focused on listening to residents and using their feedback to inform decisions. The intended outcome is to help residents move into homes that better support their independence, comfort and long-term wellbeing.