Housing Diversity Network

🎉 Day 6 of our 12 Days of Christmas 🦌 Liz Ellis, sponsored by Together Housing Group and supported by HDN Associate Sue Waterall, shares her aspirations as she begins her journey on our Board Trainee Programme: “By being a part of the HDN Board Trainee Programme, I am aiming to truly learn what it takes to be a good NED and provide constructive challenge to ensure we continue to do good and progress tenants' lives. I have worked by supporting the sector for the last 11 years through hiring key talent, but I am excited to be able to give back in a different way through this programme. My hopes for the future are to become the best NED I can be and secure a position either on Together Housing Group's Board or another HA.” Liz is starting on a journey which highlights the importance of giving back and striving for excellence. Stay tuned as we continue to share inspirational stories leading up to Christmas. If you'd like to learn more about our Board Trainee Programme, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #InspiringJourneys #12DaysOfChristmas #HDN #HousingDiversityNetwork #DiversityandInclusion #Christmas #boardprogrammes #socialhousing

✨ Day 5 of our 12 Days of Christmas 🎄 Today, Karen Gregory reflects on her growth and success through our Board Trainee Programme, which she was able to complete thanks to her sponsored organisation Aster Group UK with HDN Associate Julia Histon for supporting her: “Completing the Board Trainee Programme was the best thing for me, and I can’t recommend it enough. I have learnt about why and how decisions are made by the board and about all the different aspects they must consider when making decisions. It is not always easy, and the course helps you to see the bigger picture and have a better understanding of what to expect and how to contribute effectively to your role. Since completing the programme, I was successful in becoming a Trustee Director at Transform Housing and Support. I’m now working with an amazing team who are helping me to keep learning and growing in my board member role.” Karen’s inspiring story reminds us that determination and learning open doors to new opportunities. Keep an eye out for more stories as we start to approach Christmas! 🤩 To read more about our programme, please click the link below. https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #InspiringJourneys #12DaysOfChristmas #HDN #HousingDiversityNetwork #DiversityandInclusion #Christmas #boardprogrammes #socialhousing

📣 NEW SPEAKER ALERT📣 We’re excited to announce that Kirsten Doherty will be joining Darren Burton for our upcoming training session on the 13th of February 2025 which will cover the topic of "Responding fairly to complaints." Kirsten is a seasoned DEI leader with experience spanning start-ups and global organisations. As the former Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Monzo Bank, Kirsten has been at the forefront of driving impactful initiatives to support underrepresented groups, including women and Black talent. This is not a workshop you should miss. Click the link below to register 👇 https://lnkd.in/eTFfeSqF #HDN #HousingDiversityNetwork #EDI #OnlineTraining #ComplaintsHandling #OnlineWorkshop #CustomerFeedback #SocialHousing

What a brilliant way to wrap up the year at HDN!🎉 Yesterday, we came together in Manchester for our final team quarterly meeting of 2024 and had the pleasure of meeting our newest board member, Mike Kirk, to the team. Mike brings a wealth of experience, currently serving as Chair of the The Hyde Group Board. He previously chaired Vivid and was Executive Chairman at Quadrise. With a strong background in finance, investment banking, and leadership across the housing, utilities, and energy sectors, we’re excited to have his insight and expertise on board. After a productive brainstorming session, we switched gears for our Christmas party, starting with a lively game of shuffleboard! The competition was fierce (as always), but our Chief Executive, Mushtaq Khan, claimed victory 🏆(We promise we didn’t let him win!). Big shoutout to Mike Kirk for taking 2nd place and a special mention to Ruth Gray, who pulled off an epic comeback from 6th to 3rd! We wrapped up the night at Dishoom for a Christmas meal that was nothing short of a feast. Belts unbuckled, stomachs full, we’re set for a food coma well into 2025! Here’s to an even bigger and better year ahead! 🎉

🦌 Day 4 of our 12 Days of Christmas 🎁 Up next, we’re shining the spotlight on Dawn Snowball, who was hosted by Karbon Homes. Dawn shares her remarkable experience on our Board Trainee Programme: “Being an HDN board trainee has given me the opportunity to develop and build networks that I would not have had access to before. Through the training programme, I am beginning to understand the social housing sector, regulation, board etiquette, and much more. Shadowing the Karbon Homes board has helped me understand social housing from a board level. They are all welcoming and inclusive and have been inspirational in their own way. I am gaining confidence and feel able to practise what I am learning in a supportive environment. The extra support from HDN and mentors is exceptional – thank you!” Dawn’s journey showcases how connection and guidance empower us to thrive in new challenges, she was supported on the programme by HDN associate Caroline Gitsham MBE. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our countdown! To read more about our programme, please click the link below. https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #InspiringJourneys #12DaysOfChristmas #HDN #HousingDiversityNetwork #DiversityandInclusion #Christmas #boardprogrammes #socialhousing

✨ Day 3 of our 12 Days of Christmas ✨ Today’s story comes from Tavepo M. , whose passion for housing has been fuelled by his time as a board trainee with HDN and his host organisation Karbon Homes: “I am enthusiastic about social housing. I have always been interested in the governance of social housing organisations after having worked in social housing sector for nearly 15 years, undertaking various roles including Support Worker, Housing Officer, and Housing Revenue Officer. However, undertaking the Board Trainee programme with Housing Diversity Network in partnership with Karbon Homes has been a game changer in making my dream come true. I have spent almost six months of the two-year programme observing full board meetings and taking part in board committee meetings and workshops. This gives me an opportunity to experience what it is like to be a board member of a large housing organisation.” Tavepo was supported by HDN Associate Caroline Gitsham MBE His journey on the programme is one of determination and growth. Stay with us for more stories of transformation! To read more about our programme, please click the link below. https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #InspiringJourneys #12DaysOfChristmas #HDN #HousingDiversityNetwork #DiversityandInclusion #Christmas #boardprogrammes #socialhousing

🎄 Day 2 of our 12 Days of Christmas 🎄 Today, we’re shining a light on Imogen Potter from Karbon Homes, who reflects on her experience of welcoming board trainees through the HDN Board Trainee Programme: “We welcomed our first board trainees to Karbon in July 2024. For us, it was important that we invested in a future pipeline of talent for our boards and committees, and continued our commitment to hear from a diverse range of voices at board and committee level. HDN helped us to ensure that recruiting our new board trainees went smoothly, and we were impressed by the wide range of strong candidates. Dawn and Tavepo have hit the ground running as our new trainees, attending board and committee meetings and learning more about Karbon and what it means to be a board member. They’ve also been working through their HDN development programme, and their mentor from HDN keeps in regular contact. It’s been a great experience so far, and we look forward to continuing to work with HDN to support our trainees over the course of the programme.” Imogen’s reflection highlights the value of creating opportunities for diverse voices in organisations. We’re proud to be part of this journey. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories! To read more about our programme, click the link below. https://lnkd.in/e28tsFCJ #InspiringJourneys #12DaysOfChristmas #HDN #HousingDiversityNetwork #DiversityandInclusion #Christmas #boardprogrammes #socialhousing

🎉 Day 1 of our 12 Days of Christmas 🎉 We're excited to kick off with Claire Bell, sponsored by Thirteen Group on our Board Trainee Programme. Claire shares her inspiring journey and the invaluable experiences she gained through the programme. “Through comprehensive training sessions, with interesting guest speakers from across the housing industry, the Board Trainee Programme genuinely ‘gets you ready’ to take on a Board role. The programme provides trainees with real experience and an invaluable opportunity to see how an organisation operates as a whole. The mentoring was a valuable component of the scheme and there was a true sense of care from HDN about trainees' well-being and the quality of experience they gained throughout the programme as well as their future on the other side, with full preparation given in a full mock interview!” Claire Bell was supported in her personal development throughout the programme by HDN associate Kam Urwin. Claire’s journey embodies what Inspiring journeys is all about growth, support, and transformation. Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight more inspiring stories! #InspiringJourneys #12DaysOfChristmas #HDN #HousingDiversityNetwork #DiversityandInclusion #Christmas #boardprogrammes #socialhousing

Tomorrow we launch our annual '12 Days of Christmas' campaign! This year's theme, 'Inspiring Journeys,' shines a light on the incredible stories of growth, ambition, and transformation from participants on our programmes. Stay tuned for uplifting reflections! 🎉✨ 🎄 #InspiringJourneys #12DaysOfChristmas #HDN #HousingDiversityNetwork #DiversityandInclusion #Christmas #boardprogrammes #socialhousing

We've been recognised as one of the country's most inclusive Housing Associations following an assessment by the Housing Diversity Network. We were praised for our continued commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion after receiving the Housing Diversity Network Accreditation. Read more in the comments below.