23 October 2009
Housing associations from the Netherlands visited a range of Southern Housing Group schemes on Friday 9 October. Representatives from de Alliantie, Mitros and Portaal were given a tour of Hackney schemes, Hindle House, Stamford Hill and George Downing by London Region Director, Duncan Howard, and Director of the Group’s Foundation, Anabel Palmer.
The aim of the visit was to learn from Southern Housing Group staff about its social investment policies, and see first-hand the outcomes of the Group’s commitment to investing in its communities. The housing associations were presented with different models of community regeneration, including Southern Housing Group’s social enterprise programme. The initiative is a partnership with the School of Social Entrepreneurs, which enables residents to start businesses that will enhance the communities where they live.
Foundation Director, Anabel Palmer, said:
“The tour was a great opportunity to meet our Dutch counter-parts, and to share experiences and solutions regarding our role in supporting social investment in the communities where we operate. Investing in people and communities is as important to us as building homes, and this belief has been the foundation of our activities for more than 100 years.
“It was great to be able to share our knowledge with housing associations from the Netherlands. As a Registered Social Landlord, sharing our housing expertise with neighbouring countries is a valuable way to learn from one another and identify opportunities that will help us to continually improve our services to residents."
Tour Organiser, Trevor James, from Dutch housing and urban renewal consultancy Vannimwegen, said:
“Southern Housing Group’s approach to social investment is inspirational. Over the last few years, Dutch associations have become increasingly aware of the need to invest in people and not just bricks and mortar. Sharing experiences with UK counterparts helps them to define the role they can play.”
Southern Housing Group is one of the largest housing associations across London and the South East. For more information about the Group go to www.shgroup.org.uk
Image: London Region Director, Duncan Howard, shows Dutch delegates around Hackney schemes.