Housing solutions for people with support needs
– by Steve Harris, Business Development Director I’m one of those people that have been “round the block” in care, support and housing. So in recognition of the National Housing Federation’s Homes at the Heart campaign I thought it would be a good thing to reflect back on my experiences. I started my career working…
Speaking up for people whose voices are not heard As the team at Reside marks Learning Disabilities Week, Head of Business Development Tammy Murray reflects on a career supporting people with respect. “I’ve been working since the age of 18 supporting people to be treated fairly and equally, to have homes where they feel safe,…
I have spent most of my career working in and around public health in some form; whether in housing, health or social care; and almost all of that time I have worked specifically with marginalised groups. With people who find it harder than most to get their voice heard or the services they need. This…
Last year on Starts at Home Day I wrote a celebratory piece about all the wonderful things I have seen happen in Supported Housing over my career – the lives changed, the independence gained. And this year I still feel celebratory about all the amazing achievements of supported housing. As an organisation I know making…
Recent headline-grabbing news articles raise issues around funding and regulation in the social care sector. Steve Harris, Business Development Director at Reside Housing Association, considers the implications. I was struck by two particular pieces of news in recent weeks. One was a report from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services which highlighted that,…
Turbulent times, alongside unsettled weather, highlight the need to restore inner calm and thinking space. Reside Housing Association’s Chief Executive Officer, Diane French, discusses how she and her team tackle challenges in a fast-changing world. At the time of writing my last blog, it was not quite spring but I was looking forward to the…
A rigorous stress testing workshop provided food for thought for Reside Housing Association’s Chief Executive Officer, Diane French. Here she reflects on resilience, life experience, risk management and lessons learned. It is an interesting, if sobering, experience to think about all the things that might take you under. The more difficult question of course is…
Who do you think of on International Women’s Day? I always remember my mother. Sadly she is no longer with us, but she has always been my inspiration and I owe her a lot. She grew up in significant poverty. Her father died when she was just three in an era that consigned families without…
Everyone tells you it is lonely at the top. And that is true. Throughout my career I have been passionate about partnership, collaboration and adding value. To my mind, better outcomes are achieved when people and organisations work together and the sector pulls in the same direction. I recently completed my first year as Reside’s…
In this second post about my first year as Reside’s CEO, I want to talk about what drives change and improvement in our sector. I spent an interesting few years of my life working at the National Audit Office leading their performance measurement practice. At one point I was involved in publishing a study on…