Our colleagues took part in a diversity networking event which brought people from across housing associations and related sectors to celebrate Black History Month and discuss how organisations can improve race equality.
The event saw three guest speakers talk passionately about equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Lara Oyedele, President of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and an ambassador of the Social Housing Anti-Racism Pledge (SHARP) initiative.
• Khalid Mair, BME Housing Association Chair and coordinator for BME London Landlords, which, with support from BME National and Housing Diversity Network, created SHARP.
• Victor da Cunha, Chief Executive of Curo and Chair of the National Housing Federation (NHF) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) group.
Khalid told guests how the SHARP initiative aims to tackle structural racism in the sector.
She said: “The SHARP Pledge is a collective framework for housing organisations to commit to take the action needed to develop an inclusive culture and combat racism,” he said. The initiative started in London and the NHF is now encouraging housing associations across the country to sign up to the pledge."
Lara spoke about her own journey to become a sector leader, saying: “I was homeless, I lived in social housing and then I worked my way up within the sector.”
She had some advice for aspiring leaders, adding: “Apply yourself and try to be the best you can. Never stop learning and always put yourself forward. I’m only president of the CIH because I applied – don’t worry about rejection.
“Be confident in your skills and don’t underestimate them – own your space. And surround yourself with positive people. If you’re the smartest person in the room, go into another room!”
LiveWest and Curo received such a positive response to the event that they are already planning the next one.
Vishal Mall, our Enforcement Manager, said: “It went really well and the general feedback and attendance was far greater than what I had expected.
“The speakers are clearly people that are dedicated to EDI, especially attending the first of this event.
“The general feedback was that people would like to see this happen again, that it had a great purpose and that other agencies would be interested in hosting.
“There seems to be hope that the network can contribute positively to impacting EDI. I look forward to those discussions continuing at the next event.”
Qamar Khan, our Estates Manager, said: “For me, it was really good to attend an event where I could network with colleagues who have been through similar journeys and challenges in their professional lives in housing.
“I think we need to organise similar events on a regular basis, where we can invite senior management to share their ideas and also to listen to the challenges that BME colleagues face.”
Jane Phillips, who is one of our Asset Data Managers, said: “The event was an excellent way of getting organisations together to discuss ways forward which will have a positive impact on EDI. I am so glad that LiveWest have become involved and are supporting us.”
Judith Forde, Business Analyst/Project Manager at Curo, said: “This really was a first: it was the first event Curo and LiveWest's race equality networks had organised and the first time – in the 25 years I have worked in housing – that ethnically diverse colleagues from different organisations had come together to talk openly about race and the actions needed to improve opportunities and representation.
“However, it won't be the last. I loved seeing the passion for change in the room and meeting old and new friends.”