I’ll admit it: when it came to my social housing provider, Curo, I used to feel pretty negative. Like many tenants, I focused on the things that weren’t perfect—the maintenance issues, the communication gaps, or the frustrations that seemed to pile up. It felt like they didn’t care, and I often wondered if my concerns even made it past the first hurdle.

But here’s the thing: perspectives can change, and mine certainly did when I decided to get more involved.

Taking the first step

It started with a little curiosity and a lot of skepticism. I heard about opportunities to join tenant committees and working groups within Curo, and while I didn’t expect much, I thought, “Why not give it a shot?”. I wanted to see for myself if they were really listening to people like me—or if it was all just for show.

To my surprise, they welcomed me in. From the start, I was struck by how willing they were to engage, not just with me but with other tenants too. I found myself sitting in meetings, sharing my thoughts, and hearing the perspectives of people across the organisation.

Seeing the bigger picture

What I quickly realised is that running a social housing company is not as simple as fixing things and answering calls. It’s a balancing act. Regulations, funding, and government pressures all create an incredibly complex environment to work within. And while it doesn’t excuse everything, it did help me understand why certain decisions are made and why some things take time.

I’ve also seen firsthand how much the people at Curo care. Many of the staff I’ve met are genuinely passionate about making a difference. They listen to tenant concerns, not just as part of their job, but because they want to improve lives. That was a huge shift for me—realising that it’s not a lack of care, but often a lack of resources or red tape that slows things down.

The power of being active

One of the biggest changes for me has been feeling like I’m part of the solution. Instead of just pointing out problems, I now get to contribute ideas and feedback that can shape the services Curo provides. Through committees and focus groups, I’ve been able to speak up about the issues that matter to tenants like me. And, even better, I’ve seen how those conversations lead to real changes.

I’ve also connected with other tenants who’ve had similar experiences. Together, we’re building a stronger voice for the community, making sure that we’re heard and understood.

A balanced view

I’m not here to sugarcoat things. Social housing is still a challenging sector, and there’s always room for improvement. But being on the inside has helped me see just how much effort goes into managing the homes and lives of so many people. It’s a job that comes with its fair share of criticism, but it’s also one that deserves some credit.

For anyone who feels like I once did—frustrated and unheard—I’d encourage you to take that first step and get involved. Whether it’s joining a tenant group, attending a meeting, or simply sharing your feedback, you might find, like I did, that being active makes all the difference.

Curo isn’t perfect, and neither is the system it operates within. But I can say with confidence that there are people who care, people who listen, and people who are working hard to do their best under challenging circumstances. And for me, that’s made all the difference.

If you’re thinking about getting involved, I’d say: go for it. You might just be surprised at what you learn.