Thinking outside the box – conference from Housing Rights and Supporting Communities

Welfare Reform is bringing a sweeping set of changes to the Social Security system in Northern Ireland. These will have major implications for tenants.

Housing Rights and Supporting Communities have come together to offer an exclusive one-day conference that will help equip staff and empower tenants to deal with the changes that welfare reform will bring.

This conference is ideal for Social Housing providers, tenants, resident groups, consumer groups, advice agencies and community workers.

Thinking outside the box

This 1 day conference will showcase how staff and tenants can best deal with the challenges ahead from welfare reform.  With speakers from across the UK and Ireland, it will look at

• addressing financial exclusion
• promoting digital inclusion
• supporting tenant empowerment

Confirmed speakers

We are delighted to have Douglas White, Head of Advocacy at Carnegie UK Trust speak at the conference. Douglas leads their work on a range of issues including digital inclusion and access to affordable credit. In 2016, research published by Carnegie UK Trust evidenced the links between digital participation and social justice.

Both Emma Hamilton (Centre for Responsible Credit) and Gemma Glass (Amicus Horizon) will be joining us to highlight their Supported Rent Flex project. This trial looks at offering individual schedules of rent repayment, such as pre-agreed over and under payments at certain times of the year. Its aim is to reduce rent arrears or peoples need to access expensive credit.

Melanie Lavin from 1625 Independent People will be talking to delegates about their peer project Cash Pointers Upfront. The project, funded by the Money Advice Service, helps vulnerable young people develop financial skills and confidence.

We also look forward to welcoming Paul Kelly from Community Gateway England, and representatives from the Housing Executive plus many more still to be confirmed. Follow us on twitter to stay up to date on new additions to the programme.

Take part in a masterclass

There will also be an opportunity to attend a masterclass of you choice. They will cover tenant led service improvement, financial capability and Barclay’s Digital Eagles Masterclass.

Early bird booking rate

There is 10% off all bookings made before 7 April. Delegates price is £90 for the day (£100 after 7 April) and tenants are £45 (£50 after the 7 April).

Group discounts are also available, email us for further details.

Book on line or email [email protected] to book your place.