Board Briefings
Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust

“Our corporate objectives in commissioning the Network to undertake this brief for us were to raise committee members’ awareness of their responsibility in leading the organisation in relation to diversity issues. We wanted to ensure that members were aware of the regulatory code and identify areas where we could improve our practice. The Network delivered an excellent session that covered the brief, included all participants and was very informative.” – Jacquie Dale, Head of Housing and Community Services, Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.

Developing Equality & Diversity Strategies & Action Plans
Hallam Housing - a member of Chevin Housing Group
The Network was commissioned to assist in the development of a Race Equality Strategy and Action Plan.

“We decided to use the Network to get practical and knowledgeable assistance in moving our ideas for a Strategy into reality. We are very satisfied with the level of service provided on this project. The facilitating was done well – staff, Board members and residents felt included and felt that their views were taken into account. The Action Plan is realistic and easy to understand.” – Denis Creaghan, Chief Executive, Hallam Housing.

Equality & Diversity Reviews
Headrow Housing Group
Headrow is a well-established housing provider based in Leeds with stock of approximately 1100 properties across Yorkshire.

“We commissioned the Race Equality Network to undertake a review of our employment practices during the first 6 months of 2003. We wanted to ensure that our existing recruitment and selection policy and procedure was not discriminatory in any way. We were also looking for recommendations on ways to improve our recruitment and selection policy and procedures in accordance with best practice. We are extremely satisfied with the level of services provided by the Network and would definitely consider using their services again in the future.” – Paul Hillard, Director of Operations, Headrow Housing Group.

Horton Housing Association
Horton is a small unregistered Housing Association, which provides supported housing and care services for vulnerable people in West Yorkshire. The Race Equality Network was commissioned to carry out an organisational race equality ‘audit’ or ‘review’ as an integral part of developing a coherent and structured approach to the Association’s diversity work.

“The project met with all of the Association’s expectations. We are now clear about the progress the Association has made and what we need to do to further improve our position.” – Sheila Bamford, Executive Director, Horton Housing Association

Focus Groups
Leeds Federated Housing Association
The Network was commissioned to undertake a number of projects, including a series of Focus Groups with residents from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

“In commissioning this work, we hoped to gain improved understanding of the perception of our services amongst BME tenants, generate improvement ideas and gather general feedback to inform our decision-making processes. We are very satisfied that the work completed by the Network has met these expectations”. – Alex Collins, Customer Service Centre Manager, Leeds Federated Housing Association.

Policies & Procedures – Review
Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust
The Network was commissioned to undertake a review of existing policies and procedures in order to help JRHT improve its practices in meeting the needs of its BME residents and prospective residents.

“The work we commissioned was of an excellent quality and presented in an easy to understand practical way. It included suggestions over and above the original remit thereby adding value. The person who undertook the review was approachable and welcoming and approached the organisation in a way that was helpful and supportive.” Jacquie Dale, Head of Housing and Community Services, Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.