TPAS Conferences 2013: The Review

Introduction:

We have created this conference review to capture the energy and passion

generated by delegates at each conference. If you couldn’t be there on the day, you

can experience some of the highlights of the conferences. And if you were able to

join us it might help spark a few memories from your two day conference experience!

You’ll also be able to find out what happened at the other conference either the

North or the South conference.

Within this document you’ll also find links to further reading from key workshops, and

we’ll provide you with an insight and a flavour of opinions offered from speakers and

delegates. See too some of the photos taken over the two conferences to give you a

flavour of what happened at the events.

Michelle Reid, TPAS Chief Executive opened both the North and the South

conference by posing the same question ‘How can landlords and tenants work

together to reduce the impact of the welfare reforms’?

Michelle’s opening speech tackled the key theme of the conference head on; it was a

question that was to be debated and discussed throughout the two days at both

conferences. She also highlighted the changing needs of the social housing sector

and tenants, the emerging new skills needed within the sector and how landlords,

tenants and the wider community can create better and more efficient services

together.

This created much content for passionate and at times emotional discussion

throughout the two days of the conference.

Conference Highlights:

The Tinder Foundation presented a hugely

informative session discussing the many ways

technology will continue to shape the future of how

housing services are ran and delivered with tenants.

During the workshop delegates discussed how we

can ensure that no one is left out from the digital

world and explored the many roles and resources

available to help others in the community to ‘get

connected’. Visit www.learnmyway.co.uk or call 0114

221 0410 for more information.

‘Resolving Complaints Locally’ was a hot topic at

both conferences. We listened to Linda Collier and

Nic Bliss share examples of setting up Designated

Tenant Panels and how they could help tenants to

resolve problems locally. This workshop created a

lively debate as there is clearly still some confusion

around defining the purpose of tenant panels and the

role of Housing Ombudsman. TPAS will be running

an article on this within our RoundUp membership

magazine.

We also recommend reading the guide to Tenant Panels at www.nationaltenants.org

Discussing scrutiny arrangements was hugely popular at

both conferences. We were really excited to launch our

‘Scrutiny Lounge’ at the conferences. Within this session

we facilitated an honest and open discussion about your

different experiences and roles. We shared the national

scrutiny picture and inspired new ideas to take back to your

local scrutiny panel. If you would like TPAS to run a ‘Scrutiny

Lounge’ in your area call 0161 868 3500.

Everyone knows that one of the most valuable parts of any conference is the chance

to meet new people and gather fresh ideas over a coffee. This is why we built in a

special networking time called ‘Refresh Hour’ so delegates could relax and discuss

the days event with TPAS team members and one another. We’re committed to

making sure that tenant and staff from a variety of organisations can meet and learn

from one another and this is exactly what the ‘Refresh Hour’ was all about.

Spotlight on the South Conference: 11 & 12September, 2013 ESSEX

Credit where it’s due: Facilitated by Frank McKillop

As money becomes increasingly tight for people, this session explored the benefits

that Credit Unions bring to communities and they help people escape the trap of

‘payday loans’. ABCUL described to delegates how as well as offering an easy way

to save and an affordable way to borrow, many credit unions offer simple and

affordable tools to help people budget and manage their bills. The workshop

focussed on exploring how Credit unions can become the primary source of

affordable, high quality and ethical financial services for people in many

circumstances, but it is for us to understand, champion and support them whenever

we can. For more information visit www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk or call ABCUL on0161 832 3694

Delegate Feedback:

“Nothing wrong with borrowing if you can

afford it but not unaffordable borrowing –

I love this mantra!”

I was surprised to learn that over one

million people belong to the Credit Union.

This was a very interesting workshop”.

Spotlight on the North Conference: 24 & 25September, 2013 MANCHESTER

Real Life Reform Project: Facilitated by Lisa

Pickard, Chief Executive of Leeds and Yorkshire

Housing Association and Andy Williams, Director of

Neighbourhood Services at Liverpool Housing Trust.

This unique project is designed to bring together case studies of social housing

tenants affected by a variety of welfare reform changes and track their journey over a

period of time to really understand and capture not only the financial impact but

equally if not more importantly the experience and human impact welfare reform

changes may have on our tenants, their families, social networks and communities. It

was a honour that Lisa and Andy shared the results from the report for the very first

time at the TPAS North Conference. The report findings resonated with the room,

with delegates nodding and agreeing with the findings as each key statistic was

revealed. To view the full report type into Google ‘Real Life Reform Report’.

Some key findings included:

65% of households have less than £10 per week to live on following rent and essentials such

as food and bills. 37% have nothing left each week.

Households are intending to cut back spending on food and fuel, 25% spend less than £20

per week on food.

Eight out of ten households are already in debt and 83% are worried about getting into more

debt. Over half of those in debt doubt they’ll ever be able to clear these debts.

“There are people out there who want to understand

and we are not on our own to get trampled on”.

“I now feel that I am not alone, I could tell you some

stories of my very own battle to try and survive in this

life”.

Exhibition and Sponsors Stands:

The TPAS Conference’s provided the perfect platform to network, create new

contacts, develop existing partnerships & raise brand awareness for our special

sponsors and exhibitors at the TPAS conference.

We’d like to thank Lovell, Mears, Wates living space, WDH, Pinnacle psg,

Homegroup, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, The Big Lunch and the

Hyde Group for sponsoring the TPAS conferences and offering a wealth of

information for delegates.

Summary:

The general consensus drawn from both conference discussions and debates was

that the future for tenant empowerment looks good but there will most definitely be

challenges along the way. Placing tenants at the centre of services creates better

understanding of tenant needs and will therefore continue to be a key factor to better

equip social housing providers through the strain on resources from the welfare

reforms. The format of how housing is provided is changing but what will definitely

continue to grow is the business case for great tenant empowerment.

Michelle Reid closed the conferences by asking the question “It’s your innovation,expertise and passion to work together that are improving our communities.So tell us what you’ll take away from this experience?” Overwhelmingly

delegates told the room it felt “good to be listened to”, they felt like they “weren’t

alone with their challenges” and they came away with “a bag of new ideas” that they

were confident will work back in their own communities.

Thank you to all the workshop facilitators who came and shared their skills and

expertise to make both the North and the South TPAS conferences such a success.

This year we decided to do things differently, and we are delighted everyone

embraced this change to create two very special conference experiences for all.