Rising Stars Cymru 2014: Meet the winner
It was a tough decision with three brilliant finalists, but the winner of this year’s competition, was Lisa Evans from NPT homes. Housing minister Carl Sargeant announced the decision at TAI 2014 and presented Lisa with her certificate on the main stage.
Lisa gave an impressive final presentation detailing her new ‘Housing Ambassador’ scheme, which aims to encourage housing professionals to inspire people considering a career in housing and represent the sector in a positive way. We would like to thank the all female line-up of Lisa, Kelsey Watkins from Caerphilly Council and Catrin Lewis from Monmouthshire
Housing who were all superb competitors. All three finalists took part in a varied programme of events including a Twitter takeover, plenary presentations, a workplace visit from a judge and writing blogs during the conference. We have proven once again that Wales has a huge
pool of housing talent, and this year’s winner will be contributing a feature to the next edition of WHQ.
The 2015 competition will be launching in September so if you know a rising star in Welsh housing please encourage them to apply. With a year’s worth of ‘money can’t buy’ prizes, and an opportunity to take a very public platform, it is a very exciting opportunity!
We’re very proud of the fact that the Rising Stars Cymru competition is launching so many Welsh new housing professionals into orbit.
Coaching at the frontline
Housing professionals are under increasing pressure to evidence positive outcomes for tenants and service users. In response CIH Cymru and the Improvement consultancy have worked together to deliver an innovative new programme in Wales called Coaching at the Fontline.
A successful pilot was completed with our partners RCT Homes, Family Housing and Merthyr Valleys Homes, which focused on the latest coaching theory and practice coupled with aspects of neuro linguistic programming (NLP), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and neuroscience.
Coaching on the Frontline works on the principle that given the right conditions and support people can set and achieve their own goals. Long-term success is ensured through service users being motivated by trained staff enabling them to become more confident and able to take actions to improve their wellbeing. This is the premise of all coaching.
Trainees attend two full workshop days and three one-hour work-based supervision sessions. Housing professionals who completed the pilot programme reported a positive change in their approach towards working with tenants, which led to improvements in service outcomes.
Following the success of the pilots CIH Cymru is now rolling out the Coaching on the Frontline programme as part of our education and training offer in Wales.
Case study: Tina*
A trainee from our pilot programme tells us about their experience and how it impacted on their working practice.
‘Tina* was a 40 year-old tenant with significant tenancy arrears and mental health problems, who refused to allow housing officers entry to her property. There were serious housing benefit issues and a possession case was progressing. Tina had no form of income, and no independent support. Following Coaching on the Frontline training I changed my method of working with Tina, and used a supportive and calm approach, I was able to make contact and meet with Tina using listening and interactive skills taught on the course
‘Using the coaching techniques I was more able to focus on finding out what Tina wanted. With my support Tina identified her own goals, including accepting extra support for her mental health needs, sorting out her housing benefit and as a result of working together in this way, she was able to work with me to resolve her benefit issues, access a support service and keep a safe secure tenancy. I spent several hours one-to-one time with Tina, but taking into account the organisational cost of possession proceedings, this was a better and much more cost-effective option for not only my organisation but obviously for a vulnerable tenant who is now living and managing her home.’
*Tenant’s name has been changed.
Our next Coaching on the Frontline programme in Cardiff will take place on June 11 and 26 2014. If you are a housing professional who is interested in learning more or booking on the course please contact Sonia.dorothy@cih.org for more information.
Coastal regeneration conference – August 2014 in North Wales
Wales has 16 coastal local authorities and innumerable communities within their boundaries. this brand new event and exhibition, sponsored by Cartrefi Cymru, aims to share best practice and learning in housing-led regeneration in the coastal areas of Wales.
The conference will bring together national and local government, and housing and regeneration professionals from the public, voluntary and private sectors. A number of coastal development themes, including community investment and regeneration, increasing housing supply, and developing and supporting social enterprises, will be explored.
CIH Cymru’s brand new conference will be on August 6-7, 2014 at Parc Eirias Events Centre, Colwyn Bay, North Wales. For more information please visit www.cih.org