duration

Location
Virtual

Get a clearer understanding of the asylum accommodation landscape and the realities behind common assumptions at this practical event for housing professionals. This session unpicks how to approach the topic, reframe communications, and tackle difficult conversations in a divisive political context.

  • Read more

    Housing teams are increasingly having to respond to difficult questions, misinformation and local tension linked to asylum and immigration. In a politically charged climate, it can be hard to know how to keep conversations calm, evidence-based and productive – especially when colleagues are balancing operational pressures with resident trust, community cohesion and public scrutiny.

    This event is designed to help housing professionals communicate more confidently on the subject of asylum and housing. Drawing on research, lived experience and frontline practice, you’ll explore how media narratives shape attitudes, where misinformation takes hold, and how to redirect conversations towards facts, fairness and practical solutions.

    Alongside a clearer understanding of how the asylum accommodation system works and where pressures can arise locally, the session will focus on communication strategies that reduce stigma, build confidence and support constructive engagement across teams, with residents and in local partnerships.

    You’ll leave with practical tools handle challenging conversations, support colleagues, engage with residents, and shape your organisation’s wider approach.

    What we will cover

    •  How framing and language influence attitudes to asylum seekers in a housing context
    • Practical guidance to respond to misinformation without inflaming tension
    • A clearer understanding of the asylum accommodation landscape and the realities behind common assumptions
    • Lived experience and frontline perspectives on what helps build trust, dignity and better outcomes
    • Practical partnership approaches that support stability, trust and local understanding.

    Who should attend?

    This session will be useful for colleagues who need to communicate clearly, calmly and confidently about asylum and housing, including:

    • Homelessness prevention, lettings and housing options colleagues
    • Housing management, neighbourhood and tenancy sustainment teams
    • Resident involvement, customer services and complaints teams
    • Communications, engagement and community investment leads
    • EDI and partnership leads
    • Senior leaders shaping organisational messaging and approach.
  • Our speakers

    Edith Stokes, Founder, ECS Consulting Ltd
    Edith Stokes (she/her) is the founder of ECS Consulting Ltd, a consultancy dedicated to advancing inclusion and diversity across sectors. With extensive experience in the private, public, mental health and housing sectors, Edith is a recognised expert in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). She collaborates with esteemed organisations such as Oxford University and respected organisations such as Housing Diversity Network (HDN), delivering tailored training, strategies and assessments.

    Passionate about equity, Edith’s work focuses on creating inclusive spaces, particularly for marginalised and racialised communities, empowering organisations to foster meaningful change.

    Sophie Gordon, Principal Communications Strategist, FrameWorks UK
    Sophie Gordon is a Principal Communications Strategist at FrameWorks UK – a not-for-profit communications research organisation that works with mission-driven organisations to communicate about social issues in ways that will create change.

    FrameWorks’ research shows how people understand social issues, and uses this knowledge to develop and test strategic communications to help organisations shape public conversations.

    Sophie’s recent work includes helping organisations to reframe housing as part of the Talking about Homes project in partnership with JRF and the Nationwide Foundation. Before joining FrameWorks in early 2022, Sophie was the Creative Director and lead writer for the UK’s largest child protection charity, the NSPCC.

    Paul Hassan, Partnership Manager, ACH
    Paul is a social entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience in business, community, and economic development.

    He works as Partnership Manager for ACH – with a focus on developing long-term housing sustainability and successful integration for refugee and migrant communities across the west of England and the west Midlands .

    He has worked across a diverse range of social impact organisations from director of award winning Ujima Radio cic in St Pauls, Bristol to Southwest Development Manager for Locality.  He recently served as a board member for Brighter Places Housing Association and currently sits on Bristol City Councils strategic Homes and Communities Board as well as Chair of  Eastside Community Trust, located in inner city Bristol.

    Nico Ndlovu
    Nico Ndlovu is a Zimbabwean-born stand-up comedian living in Scotland, with lived experience as a refused asylum seeker based in Scotland. He has volunteered in a few projects, including CastleMilk Community Church and Community Researchers. Nico is an Ambassador for Nacccom and a member of One Strong Voice, and is also a board member for SIEN (South East Integration Network) in Glasgow.

    He is the host for various events, including his own comedy night, ‘That Guy Comedy Show’, founded in 2015 by Nico Ndlovu himself, and the creator of Siyakhuluma wetalkpodacast.
  • Programme

    9:30am Welcome and introduction

    Edith Stokes, Founder, ECS Consulting

    9:40am Building a bigger ‘us’: how to talk about homes and immigration

    Sophie Gordon, Principal Communications Strategist, FrameWorks UK

    How we communicate about homes and immigration matters, as the choices we make in how we frame our communications impacts how people think, feel and act.

    In this session, Sophie will share some headline insights from FrameWorks UK’s upcoming research briefing, Building a bigger ‘us’: How to talk about homes and immigration, supported by JRF, the Nationwide Foundation and Shelter.

    Sophie will share insights on:

    • how people think about homes and immigration
    • what this means for communicators working in housing
    • practical guidance and examples.

    10:20am A lived experience perspective: dignity, belonging and being heard

    Nico Ndlovu
    • The everyday realities behind asylum housing — what it’s like to navigate systems, processes and uncertainty
    • What helps and what harms: practical reflections on communication, dignity and being listened to
    • Key messages for housing and community professionals: what to do differently to build trust and reduce tension

    10:50am Break

    11:05am How we can help: partnership and integration approaches that support stability and reduce homelessness risk

    Paul Hassan, Partnership Manager, ACH
    • How to build effective local partnerships that join up housing, support and community services
    • Practical integration approaches that strengthen routes into stable housing and reduce homelessness risk
    • What housing providers can do now: actions, principles and examples that can be applied locally

    11:40am Q&A, discussion and key takeaways

    Edith Stokes

    12:15pm Close

  • Cancellations and substitutions

    If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

    Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

    If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

    Cancellations must be made in writing and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.

  • Price and booking

    Bookings are closed for this event.

    If you experience any issues when submitting your booking, please email [email protected] with the name and date of the session along with the delegate name(s), email address(es) and job title(s) and we'll process the booking for you.

Dates



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