How housing associations are vital in supporting lifelong learning

Why are social housing providers part of the solution?

Our sector is so well placed to work locally in communities, by leveraging their roles as large local employers and commissioners of services to continue to campaign for change.

I am a long-term advocate for further education and social housing, so I know too well how housing associations utilise partnerships in their local areas to reduce economic inactivity.

NHF members already provide a huge amount of employment support and career advice to their local communities. For example, at a recent visit to NHF member, Trent and Dove, I witnessed firsthand how housing association’s support their communities and their colleagues. This only happens because their wide community reach enables them to have regular contact with residents and build trust.

Housing associations also deliver personalised support too, that take into consideration their resident’s needs to deliver tailored support that is more flexible than other employment services.

Alongside this, our members offer training and skills, health and wellbeing support, on issues such as welfare, tenancy rights, digital skills, and assistance in travelling to work and more.

What more can NHF members do

Housing associations play an important role in supporting residents to sustaining work. Yet our work must go further. There is more to be done on sharing practice and raising awareness of the role that housing associations play in getting residents into work

L&W have produced a charter, which enables organisations like NHF members, to commit to reducing economic inactivity and offering everyone access to learning.

The charter gives organisations the chance to learn from one another, share and understand good practice, and promote what’s working in getting the nation learning. 

Through their Get the Nation Learning awards the campaign also offers learning providers, employers and organisations, who are committed to improving adult learning, an opportunity to share the great work we do in the sector.

It is not right that so many residents are locked out from growing their skills and employment opportunities. Our members can and must ensure that we strengthen partnerships such as these to give everyone the greatest chance of prospering in life.

You can learn more about Get the Nation Learning campaign, its charter and this year’s awards on the NHF’s News and Blogs section.