Putting partnership into practice – Working Together for Londoners
- 14 December 2020
On Thursday 10 December 2020, the G15 brought together a virtual panel event all about how housing associations, local and regional government, and local organisations can work together for, and with, Londoners.
During the pandemic, the value and importance of a good quality and affordable home has never been clearer. Homes have become sanctuaries, offices, and classrooms for many. It has also brought to light how the absence of a safe, secure, and affordable home can have a huge impact on people’s lives, including their health. It has also shown the value of strong communities and the need for partnership working between organisations.
Chaired by Geeta Nanda OBE, Chief Executive of MTVH and Vice-Chair of the G15, the event saw the Deputy Mayor of London for Housing, Tom Copley, and Cllr Darren Rodwell, Deputy Chair of London Councils and Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, join Adam Lent from the think tank New Local and the Chair of the G15, Helen Evans of Network Homes, in a lively and thought-provoking debate.
Almost 100 guests from across local government, housing associations and a wide spectrum of organisations working across the housing and community sectors attended the event. By doing so, not only did they contribute interesting questions to the debate, but they also helped raise £1,000 for the London Homeless Collective, which is doing amazing work to help people into safe accommodation this winter.
Commenting on the event, Geeta Nanda said:
“Housing associations are at their best when we work in partnership with others. Whether that is with local councils and City Hall, or with community groups and our residents directly. The discussion during the event really brought home how important our shared commitment to help people to live well is.
“I want to thank the panellists and all those who attended the event for their contribution to a great discussion. I know I speak for all G15 members when I say that we want to take forward the spirit of collaboration that has been so evident during the response to the pandemic, as we work together to meet the challenges we and London face together.”
You can watch the session back here:
During the event, a collection of stories from frontline housing association colleagues, residents we have supported and partner organisations we have worked with during the pandemic was played and can be viewed here.
To coincide with the panel event, the G15 has also published a ‘Covid-19: Initial Lessons Learned’ report, which reflects on the challenges the pandemic has posed housing associations and how we support communities and how members have over come them.