Reimagining regeneration in Wales

Housing-led regeneration has never been more active than it currently is in Wales.

Many thought that welfare reform would reduce the amount of regeneration activity that housing associations are involved with. This has not been the case. Regeneration activity has become more focused on tackling poverty and improving the lives of tenants due to welfare reform measures.

Figures from our annual WERU report indicate that during 2013/14, housing associations spent £514m on regeneration across Wales. This is broken down into a £185m spend on new build housing development, £292m on repairs and maintenance and just over £36m spend on community regeneration. Community regeneration projects include, for example, financial inclusion, energy efficiency retrofit and advice, employment and training, digital inclusion, social enterprise creation and collaboration (with support from our Building Enterprise project), and community development.

It is an overused saying, but social housing really is much more than bricks and mortar!

Housing associations are increasingly recognised as regeneration delivery agents and many are involved in partnerships to deliver the Welsh Government's ‘Vibrant and Viable Places’ programme which has provided over £100m to regenerate communities across Wales. We welcome the recognition of the sector and believe that housing associations can play a key role in local service delivery and community regeneration as the cuts to public services continue to hit.

On 18th June, we will celebrate the sector’s role in regenerating communities at our annual fesTYval at Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr. The event is an an informal and interactive day suitable for all those involved in community regeneration including housing associations, local authorities, social enterprises and third sector organisations. This year has a "school theme" and we have a variety of sessions planned around the themes of wellbeing, health, social enterprise and engagement. We are expecting another sell out event with over 200 attendees!

To find out more and to book your place for only £30 per head, visit CHC's website.

You can also take a look at last year’s event on YouTube.

#fesTYval

Hayley MacNamara

Regeneration Officer

fesTYval... reimagining regeneration!

fesTYval: Reimagining Regeneration, 18 June
Swansea Care & Repair, 13C Valley Way, Alberto Road, Swansea, SA6 8QP
9am – 5pm
#fesTYval

The first of its kind in Wales!

I am very pleased to say that we have had unprecedented interest in our new and exciting housing-led regeneration event, 'fesTYval'. From the local health board to the police, Communities First, social enterprises, local authorities and of course housing association staff and tenants, it really will be a mix of delegates who will all be there to find out more, be inspired by, celebrate and challenge the social housing sector's role in regenerating communities.

On 18th June we will transform this warehouse into a visually stimulating, fun and engaging venue:

The event stems from Community Housing Cymru and CREW Regeneration Wales’ Housing-led Regeneration Network which runs on a quarterly basis and is chaired by Steve Cranston, Head of Community Investment at United Welsh. Housing-led Regeneration is a rather creative element of the work of housing associations, and we felt that a standard corporate event would not fit with the agenda and audience.

As many of you are aware, the social housing sector is increasingly involved in regenerating communities through various initiatives. To give you a snapshot of the regeneration work taking place across Wales, you can take a look at our fesTYval Pinterest page: http://gb.pinterest.com/chcgroup/festyval-reimagining-regeneration/

The sector and tenants rarely have a chance to reflect on the work taking place and to identify new pursuits. fesTYval will provide this opportunity.

In true UnConference format, fesTYval will run a loose ‘line-up’ with delegates given the choice to attend fringe events, master classes, and headline sessions throughout the day.

The 'Big Top' will host the headline speakers throughout the day, keeping us inspired and focused. The three fringe sessions will provide attendees with the opportunity to hear from showcased RSL examples and seek advice and support from colleagues on these areas of work. The measuring and reporting session will highlight the various tools and software available to the sector to capture and monitor what you are doing well. The Masterclass sessions will provide a free learning opportunity for both colleagues and tenants, giving you the tools to put your new ideas into action. Finally, Regen Street will allow you to take stock, grab a cuppa or an ice cream, and mingle with colleagues over the Washing Line or in the Cosy Caravan. The street will be lined with interactive stalls and stands from our partners, RSLs, local businesses and social enterprises for your perusal throughout the day.

Thanks to our partners including Building Enterprise, CREW and Bangor University, fesTYval will run at the low cost of only £20 per delegate. If you would like to book your place, please visit CHC's website. A warning… tickets are running low!

You can join the conversation on Twitter leading up to the event and on the day using the #fesTYval hashtag. We look forward to seeing you there!


Hayley MacNamara
Regeneration Officer

Think differently, do differently!

We love our quotes in CHC. My quote of the moment is from Albert Einstein: 'A sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'

In CHC, we’re taking this on board. We’re embarking on our first European funded project, Building Enterprise, which sees us leading on a project that will provide support for our members and other social enterprises with the ambition of ensuring that more services and products for the sector are delivered and supplied from social enterprises.

This project was a long time coming, but it’s come at a good time. When we consulted with our members last year, doing more to support the wider regeneration activities our members are embarking on was top of the agenda, along with continuing our lobbying activities. Since hearing that message, we’ve made many changes. We’ve created a Housing-led Regeneration Network supported by a newly created Regeneration Officer post which integrates the programme of work between CHC and CREW. We’re also leading on a project which will provide individual support but will also ensure that the sector can engage, share and learn. So when you’re thinking about what CHC does and that we’re moving into new territory, just remember that we’re thinking differently and doing differently which ensures that we’re well equipped to support the sector which is doing the same.

We're currently recruiting members for the Building Enterprise project steering group - please click here for further information.


Sioned Hughes
Director of Policy and Regeneration, CHC