Why equality, diversity and inclusion is at the top of our agenda

Established in 1963, Orwell Housing Association manages more than 4,300 homes, supporting over 8,200 residents across 12 local authority areas in the East of England. But we’re more than just a housing provider, we’re deeply committed to building inclusive and engaged communities.

We actively champion diversity and inclusion, not as an obligation but as a defining part of who we are. Celebrating and respecting everyone’s differences strengthens our organisation, enriches our culture, and helps us serve our customers in ways that truly reflect their needs and experiences.

Evolving our EDI commitment: from insight to action

Over the past year, we have refined our strategic approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), focusing on finding our voice and speaking up with intention. Our ambition goes beyond acknowledging key awareness days, we’re committed to working with diverse community partners to drive meaningful, sustained engagement.

By participating in the past two National Housing Federation (NHF) EDI data collections, we gained valuable insights that have helped shape our actions. We’ve worked to ensure our colleagues, including our board, closely align with the demographic of the communities we serve.

We discovered over a quarter of our colleagues have informal caring responsibilities and hosted learning sessions to raise awareness and provide practical support, and we’re proud to now have two dedicated Care Ambassadors within the organisation.

We learned 31% of our colleagues identify as having a physical or mental health condition or illness lasting or expected to last 12 months or more, with 19% sharing that this impacts their daily activities. This knowledge prompted us to work towards and achieve a Disability Confident Leader accreditation, challenging us to examine our recruitment practices, leadership awareness and workplace adjustments, helping us foster a more supportive and accessible environment.

Our second NHF data collection saw a 30% rise in responses and fewer 'prefer not to say' selections, which we hope reflects that individuals feel safe sharing information with us and recognise that inclusivity and open communication are vital to us as an organisation. As a landlord and support provider, we believe it’s our duty to speak out and actively counter negative messaging, shifting from allyship to a clear, anti-discriminatory stance which forms an integral focus for our new EDI Strategy.

Continuing our journey, together 

“Whilst we’re still learning and evolving, placing equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at the top of our agenda has had a meaningful impact on both our culture and the communities we serve.” - Michelle Harrison, Director of People and Culture.

At the heart of every thriving organisation are its people, all bringing unique experiences, needs, and perspectives. We recognise that no two individuals are the same, and that this diversity is essential. It enriches and shapes how we engage, support and provide housing to our customers.

At Orwell Housing Association, we believe the entire housing sector has a responsibility to champion inclusivity, not just in principle, but in practice. By doing so, we can ensure that every customer receives support that’s not only responsive to them as individuals but also aligns with their expectations and their right to be treated with dignity and respect.