EDI has an continues to change year on year, from looking at care leavers to menopause there is a new area of focus just around the corner.

So before we start looking ahead it’s best to reflect back, what has 2024 brought for the world of EDI?

• What past trends can tell us about what may be on the horizon for 2025 onwards
• How housing has learnt and evolved using EDI
• The long road ahead

Join Chair of the GMHP EDI leads group, HQN’s Next Generation finalist 2024 finalist and EDI specialist for Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, Lili Vetter to, reflect, learn and build on the challenges, changes and positives of 2024.

Why you should come to the best practice group:

• Great way to find out what others are doing
• Good, honest and open discussions
• Sharing best practice and ideas with others in similar roles
• Acts as a sense-check about what people are doing or thinking of doing.

Colin Heyman, lead facilitator for the network, will introduce the topic of class. Colin has presented on the “forgotten protected characteristic” before. In this best practice group, he will explore what organisations are doing to take class into account in policies and actions. For example:

• How is class defined and what is its relationship with poverty?
• In Wales and Scotland organisations have to include socioeconomic status in equality impact assessments. Are other organisations doing this and if so what is the effect?
• As we try and diversify boards, how is class taken into account?
• Does class affect chances of success in complaints? How are we making allowances for class in complaints procedures and what training is there for customer facing employees?

We also want to hear from members about what is challenging you currently and what your priorities are. Have you any initiatives you are particularly proud of? Please let us know in advance of any subjects you’d like to discuss.

Lili Vetter is the equality, diversity and inclusion specialist for Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.

She is co-chair of HouseProud North West, a LGBTQ+ colleague group looking to make change for LGBTQ+ people living in social housing, and Rainbow Roofs the customer arm. She is also vice-chair of the Greater Manchester Housing Partnership EDI leads group.

She is passionate about making change in the sector and wants to educate others on the importance of EDI in housing, she was recently shortlisted for the EDI champion award at the Women in Social Housing (WISH) awards and HQN’s Housing’s Next Generation 2024 competition finalist.

Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited. Delegates may be substituted at any time.