Explore every episode of the podcast The Social Housing Round Table

Join us for a lively discussion on a challenge that keeps every housing maintenance manager up at night: managing work in progress (WIP) repairs.

This week's Social Housing Round Table dives deep into the world of repairs, tackling the "WIP mountain" head-on.  Inspired by a "Social Housing" viral post from Duncan Palmer, this episode brings together a group of voices to share their experiences, insights and potential solutions for tackling those ever-growing repair lists.

Expect a candid conversation exploring the complexities of WIP in social housing, with no easy answers but plenty of shared learning. Tune in to discover how collaboration and knowledge sharing can help the sector finally get ahead of this persistent challenge.

A massive thank you to Duncan for joining us and to Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring the Round Table. Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award winning human contact.

In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, we're diving into a truly impactful session featuring the incredible Rachel Holliday from Time to Change West Cumbria.

Hear how Rachel, with the support of Alertacall Ltd, is making a tangible difference in her community to combat homelessness and learn how we can all make a difference. 

Tune in now and discover how collaboration and determination can create a brighter future for everyone.

A massive thank you to Rachel for joining us and to Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring the Round Table. Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award winning human contact.

What are the biggest risks facing social housing in 2025? The answers might surprise you. At today's Social Housing Round Table, Becky Tucker from House of Risk gave a fascinating overview of the sector's risk profile. With economic uncertainty, regulatory changes and the growing threat of cybercrime, it's more important than ever for housing organisations to stay ahead of the curve. A massive thank you to Becky for her expert analysis and to Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring the Round Table. Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award winning human contact.

And that's a wrap! Tune in for our final episode of The Social Housing Round Table of 2024. We shared some key insights from the past year and were joined by The Social Housing Round Table's Head of Partnerships, Elaine Middleton who shared her journey and role with us. There's also a sneaky Christmas Quiz in there for anybody who wants to test their Christmas knowledge!   A big thank you to Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring the round table in 2024. Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award winning human contact.

In our latest episode of the Round Table on 10th December 2024, we were joined by George Weyman and Adam Botterill of TPXimpact | B Corp™ to discuss their work so far on social housing data, what's to come and how you can get involved. 

A big thank you to TPXImpact for sponsoring this session and to Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring the round table in 2024. Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award winning human contact.

In our latest episode of the Round Table on 3rd December 2024, we were joined by the wonderful Kate McArdell-Broome from Johnnie Johnson Housing.

We enjoyed opening up discussion on the digital engagement journey with customers and had some excellent input from attendees. Another fantastic episode!

A special thanks to Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring the 2024 Round Table series! Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award winning human contact.

In our bonus Round Table session on Friday 29th November, we were joined by the incredible G15 SVLG team – Fiona Fletcher Smith, Aaron Dohnt, and Deborah Williams – for a special deep dive into their Social Value Week.

In this episode, we heard firsthand about the impactful initiatives happening within the G15, gained exclusive insights from their week dedicated to social value and even got to know some of the incredible award finalists. 

A special thanks to Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring the 2024 Round Table series! Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

In our Round Table session today, we teamed up with the Chartered Institute of Housing for a powerful session focusing on the UN Women's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

We were joined by Alison Inman OBE, Stephanie Morphew and James Strang from the Chartered Institute of Housing for a conversation about the #NoExcuse initiative and why it's crucial to stand against violence against women and girls - a fantastic session with some really great input and insights!

A special thanks to Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring the 2024 Round Table series! Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

In this Round Table session, we were joined by the wonderful Jess Page of Bridge Housing Solutions and opened up conversation on the ethics of allocating social housing and whether the lettings process is creating equitable communities or simply willing to allow some people with vulnerabilities into any home that might just "do the job", regardless of the community around them. Massive thanks go to Bridge Housing Solutions for sponsoring this session and to Alertacall for sponsoring this episode. Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

In this Round Table session, we looked at the links between social housing and mental health, considering children's experiences and offering some real-life examples of how to improve mental health using housing association tools. This was the final session of the incredible 'Health and Housing' series from the collaboration between whg and The Social Housing Round Table and we were joined by Connie Jennings, Charlotte Rainer and Edward Davie! Of course, massive thanks go to whg for sponsoring the 'Health and Housing' series and to Alertacall for sponsoring this episode. Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Claire Black of Tentacles Consultancy to discuss whether tenant's scrutiny needs a rebrand! This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by Alertacall. Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Dami Sosanya Co-Chair of Unify Network and Alozie Ohuonu Vice Chair of Unify Network to discuss Promoting Diversity of Thought - Now What's Next?

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Todays we were joined by Sir Norman Lamb Former Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Care and Support for this special SHRT with Alertacall to discuss Consumer Standards: Older and Vulnerable Residents

 

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Todays host Elaine Middleton was joined by Jennie Blake, Founder, Trainer and Consultation to talk about why mental health first aid alone isn't the answer.

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Dr Hannah Absalom, Research consultant to discuss the launch of the report "Home Encounters"

 

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Amelie Treppass Research Director from Blue Marble Research, Sonali Patel Research Director from Blue Marble Research and Laura Shellard Head of Sustainability from Notting Hill Genesis This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by James Feetham, Inclusive Services Team Leader from Great Places Housing Group to talk about lived experience and the powerful impact it can have.

 

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Sadie Jones, Founder of SheBeasts CIC to discuss finding a future after escaping domestic violence This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by CIH to discuss Government Proposals for Planning Reforms.

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Gemma Bell to discuss lessons we can learn from mergers. This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Zoë Benjamin Human Factors Security Lead DAINTTA This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by James Fellowes, Founder of Bridge of Hope Careers and Chance Bleu-Montgomery, Partners Support Manager at Bridge of Hope Careers.

 

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Lynne Brosnan Chair of Stop Social Housing Stigma, Dr Mercy Denedo from the University of Durham and Nic Bliss Campaign Director of Stop Social Housing Stigma

 

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Sue Phillips, Shared Ownership Resources Founder

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by:  Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Julie Haydon - Director -Corporate Services at Wolverhampton Homes.

 

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by James Batchelor - CEO and Founder of Alertacall

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by Michelle Haycox from ELM Coaching

 This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

The Social Housing Round Table: The sponsored whg and health series today we are joined by a number of guests to discuss building mental wellbeing in our homes

Connie Jennings, Director of Stronger Communities whg

Vicki Brownhill, Interim Director of Housing Midland Heart

Laura Barney, Joint Service Lead, Early Intervention in Psychosis

Kelly Plant, Operational Delivery for Community Transformation, Adult Mental Health

Sureya Gulzar, Health and Housing Partnership Manage, whg

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by Lindsay SmithManaging Director of ATICC This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by James Batchelor, Founder and CEO of Alertacall and Rob Pickering, AI Expert and Technologist.

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by Jo Lecke from Big Picture Training

 

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by Richard Blakeway Housing Ombudsman and Verity Richards Head of Service This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by Stewart Davison, Founder and Consultant at Elehan Consulting

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by Andrew Frankum, Executive Director of Health & Safety and Compliance at Concept Housing Association and Jan Taranczuk Strategic Housing Advisor at Plumis.

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact

Today we were joined by Kelly Scapens Supported Housing Manager ForHousing This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by Zac Hemming Co-Founder and CEO of ICE Services Group and Adam Rhodes Chairman of ICE Services Group

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by:  Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Today we were joined by James Batchelor Founder and CEO of Alertacall and Neil Butters, Head of Procurement at PfH - Procurement for Housing

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by:  Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Hannah Harvey Executive General Manager Customer and Community Services Housing Choices Australia joins us for this weeks episode to discuss the learnings we can take from Australia.

This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by:  Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Helen Forshaw-Hayes from Strategic Solutions Consultant Me Learning Ltd joins us for this weeks episode to discuss leveraging digital learning solutions to address data challenges in Social Housing

 

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This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: 

Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

Dr Bola Abisogun joins us for this weeks episode to discuss how we can look at options within Construction to give more opportunities for young people in Social Housing.

 

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This episode of The Social Housing Round Table has been kindly sponsored by: 

Alertacall helps as many people as possible feel safe, connected and informed by combining ingenious technology and award-winning human contact.

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Charlotte Cook and Juliet McCarthy of Straightforward Partnership join The Social Housing Round Table to look at psychologically safe cultures in Social Housing. It's clear we need to talk more openly and authentically, but how do we actually achieve this?

Listen in to discover more!

 

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Join us to discover more about an ongoing collaborative study currently taking place: "A new research contract awarded by the Gambling Commission, using regulatory settlement funds.

 

The project is about understanding more about ‘supporting victim survivors of gambling-related domestic abuse – a focus on women in social housing (including local authority supported accommodation)’."

 

A massive thank you to Dr Kelly Henderson CIHCM, Liz Riley and Amanze Ejiogu for bringing this topic to my attention and to Cathy in advance for joining us under a pseudonym to share her lived experience.

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Rachael Smart and Esther Clarson join The Social Housing Round Table this week! They have set up think together after working, collectively for 50 years in #SocialHousing. They aim to help Social Housing providers make positive change by improving services and experience for residents, colleagues, and the organisation.

Passion is an overused word, but they are truly passionate about the power of working together, collaborating with colleagues, residents, stakeholders, and communities to make real change that delivers positive outcomes.

Join us for a discussion in collaboration and partnership working!

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Delighted to be announcing part 3 in the collaboration between the Chartered Institute of Housing and The Social Housing Round Table, where again we talk about something vital: Temporary Accommodation.

Hannah Keilloh will be here to discuss policy and what can feasibly be done, Christa Maciver will be looking at the response of Justlife and the work of the APPG, Matthew Wilkins will be presenting a summary of the data from CIH’s soon-to-be published value for money report on temporary accommodation and Jim Crawshaw will join us to discuss the changing situation from a Coventry perspective and how they are managing to keep the number of households in B&B relatively low by sourcing other options.

 

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This week's guest speaker is True Compliance who are sponsoring our session on 12th March, where we're thrilled to welcome Alistair Thorpe! Alistair will be your guide through the intricate landscape of Building Compliance, shedding light on common pitfalls faced by housing providers. 

Building compliance management often feels like navigating a labyrinth, from wrestling with one-size-fits-all all systems to grappling with underutilised siloed data. Join us as we embark on a discussion to unravel these challenges and discover ways to elevate your building compliance processes by harnessing the untapped potential of the data at your fingertips.

In this session, we'll dive into real-world examples, exploring the repercussions and offering key takeaways for everyone.

We'll finish the session by engaging in an interactive Q&A, encouraging participants to pose questions and share insights. This promises to be an empowering session, where the exchange of knowledge takes center stage, shaping a roadmap for improved compliance management! 

 

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Whg and The Social Housing Round Table come together in the first of a series of sponsored events discussing the relationships between Health and Social Housing. We're delighted to welcome four key speakers Connie Jennings, David Elliot, Sarah Davis and Viv Marsh to the panel alongside Sureya Gulzar who will be Co-Chairing the event

 

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The Social Housing Round Table welcomes Investors in Excellence for an interactive session exploring the various strategies and approaches that can be employed to ensure housing excellence.

We examined the importance of creating a supportive housing environment, developing innovative housing solutions, and utilising technology to improve the quality of life for all. The benefits of this approach are person for person, pound for pound, rising above the rest to be second to none.

This session was delivered by Kevin Hart, Group MD and Programme Director of Investors in Excellence. Kevin is an influential Senior HR Operations and Transformation Specialist with vast experience and a sustained record of success serving in the Royal Air Force. Amongst other progressive organisations UK and internationally, Kevin has been working closely in partnership with Inclusion Housing.

Its journey to high-performing and a case study for IiE's Excellence in Housing is an accolade that Neil Brown, CEO, confirms "We are proud of what we do and what we have achieved at Inclusion; for it to be verified through an independent Excellence organisation is most gratifying".

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The Professionalism, Conduct and Competency Consultation is now live, giving you the chance to have your say on the upcoming mandatory qualification proposals in Social Housing.

If you want to find out more before (or after) you respond to the consultation, please listen to Sarah Dunkerley and James Prestwich of the Chartered Institute of Housing on a special Friday edition of The Social Housing Round Table.

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Across the Social Housing Maintenance and Repairs market, it has been noticed that the current workforce is ageing with a lack of new blood coming into the market, so maybe a new approach needs to be adopted when recruiting to engage with an untapped talent pool.

 

How can a new approach be taken which at the same time can improve socio-economic situations for impoverished communities?

Each year millions of pounds are invested in training young people, coupled with those who have retrained after falling out of the employment market, yet this untapped talent pool has not yet filtered through to Social Housing.

How can recruitment strategies be altered to ensure opportunities are offered to the hardest-to-reach in society, adding Social Value, but also helping to solve the skills gap within the market and offer long-term sustainable employment to those in the local community?

 

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In response to challenges relating to quality, decency, and energy efficiency, the government is currently undertaking a programme of ambitious reform in social housing. In the last few months, several government proposals have been released that, when finalised and implemented, will usher in significant changes for the sector.

The Social Housing Round Table is partnering with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) to host this session, which will explore some of the most significant government proposals and their consequences for the sector and its residents. Members of CIH’s policy and practice team will summarise and present the main proposals contained in current government consultations (e.g. Awaab’s Law, the Future Homes Standard), and you will have the opportunity to use your experience and expertise to shape CIH’s response.

 

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