Episode 1: 6 months on: Tackling veteran homelessness
In Season 1, we sat down with colleagues from Stonewater and its partners to talk about an innovative community build scheme that was changing the lives of six veterans. It’s been six months since the development was completed and the veterans moved into their brand-new homes.
Host Anisha Patel will be joined by guest host and Director of Development (South and West) at Stonewater, Matt Crucefix, to catch up with Dwaine, one of the veterans involved in the scheme and find out what life’s been like since he moved into his home on Noden’s Mews (on Waterworks Lane in the Herefordshire town of Leominster).
Read the transcript.
Episode 2: George Blunden Public Art prize
For the first time, Stonewater has launched its own public art prize to give talented artists from all over the country – both established and emerging – who are producing ground-breaking and innovative artworks the chance to deliver a series of pieces that can sit proudly on its development schemes.
In this latest episode of On the Air, host Anisha Patel is joined by guest co-host Jonathan Layzell, Executive Director of Development at Stonewater to talk about launching the George Blunden Public Art Prize and the value of public art to its customers and communities.
Joined by metal sculptor Mick Kirkby-Geddes and Jacqueline Burton, development manager at Stonewater, the two panellists give their insight into producing public art and what artists should consider in their entry.
Read the transcript.
Episode 3: The INVITE project
Funded by the Longleigh Foundation, the INVITE project (undertaken by the University of Stirling) aims to investigate how assistive and everyday technologies can be implemented in retirement living properties to improve residents’ quality of life and sustain inclusive communities.
In this episode, our hosts are joined by Dr Grant Gibson (Lecturer in Dementia Studies and Co-Investigator, University of Stirling), Dr Steve Rolfe (Research Fellow from University of Stirling) and Pat Harvey (retirement living customer, Stonewater) to discuss the project and what it's like to live with dementia, and the impact the project hopes to achieve.
Read the transcript.
Episode 4: Modern poverties: Exploring homeworking and income inequalities
In 2020 Stonewater worked with think tank IPPR to produce ‘All Hands to the Pump,’ to find solutions to the ‘retrofitting challenge’ and pave the way to increasing the number of low-carbon homes in the UK.
This year, Stonewater is working with think tank Demos to take a deep dive into modern poverties for low paid remote workers. Host Anisha Patel will be joined by guest co-host David Button (Cavendish Advocacy) to discuss the research proposal and potential impact with Dave Lockerman (Stonewater) and Rose Lasko-Skinner (Demos).
Read the transcript.
Episode 5: Fuel poverty
For many, fuel poverty is just poverty by another name. While some emergency help and financial support does exist for those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, it often doesn’t go far enough.
On this episode of On the Air, Host Anisha Patel is joined by guest co-host Emily Batchford, Environmental Sustainability Officer at Stonewater to talk about the work the organisation is currently doing to maximise the efficiency of its homes to ensure they are warm and affordable now and in the future, for customers.
Read the transcript.
Episode 6: 16 days of activism: Awareness, action, accountability
In this episode, guests will be discussing the aims of this year’s 16 days of action against domestic abuse campaign and explore why an intersectional approach to domestic abuse is vital; highlighting the various barriers many marginalised groups and individuals face when trying to flee domestic abuse and access support.
Host Anisha Patel is joined by guest co-host Sandra Chidavaenzi, Domestic Abuse Transformation Manager at Stonewater, as well as Nicola Lambe, Head of Domestic Abuse at Stonewater, Dr Hannana Siddiqui, Head of Policy, Research and Fundraising at Southall Black Sisters and Astrid Palmer, LGBTQ+ specialist at Victim Support.
Read the transcript.
Episode 7: Living and breathing EDI: Actions, not just words
Race Equality Week aims to unite the country to actively and seriously address race in the workplace from 7-13th February (2022).
In a specially timed episode, host Anisha Patel is joined by guest co-host Tom Morris (Internal Communications and Engagement Lead), David Blower (Executive Director – Corporate Services), Jade Bradford, (Customer Communications and Engagement Manager) and Cordelia Johnney (Head of Diversity Inclusion) to discuss this year’s theme for Race Equality Week - #ActionNotJustWords.
From allyship to tackling bias in recruitment, our guests explore why EDI is a priority for Stonewater and how having a diverse and representative workforce is important for our customers too.
Read the transcript.
Episode 8: Introducing the Energy Superhub Oxford project and its cost savings to customers
The housing sector is responsible for a large portion of carbon emissions in the UK, so if there is any hope of hitting the government’s target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the way in which we heat our homes needs addressing. However, with five million homes in the UK social housing sector, there is a mammoth task ahead in order to deliver more energy efficient homes.
In this episode, host Anisha Patel is joined by guest co-host Emily Batchford, Environmental Sustainability Officer at Stonewater, to interview guests Adam Masters, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Stonewater, Matthew Trewhella, Managing Director of Kensa Contracting and Stonewater customer, Paul Brennan about Stonewater’s involvement with the Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO) project and the benefits to its customers.
Read the transcript.
Episode 9: Inside Jobs part 1
Earlier in Season 3 (episode 4), Stonewater announced that it had commissioned new research by Demos, Britain's leading cross-party think-tank, to understand the impacts of remote working on low paid workers in the UK.
In the first episode of this two-part special guest co-hosts Jenny Sawyer (Director of People, Culture and Change at Stonewater) and David Button will explore the findings of the report ‘Inside Jobs’ and the recommendations from the research to ensure the benefits of homeworking are experienced equally.
Featuring special guests Dave Lockerman (Director of Housing Operations), Andy Peers (CEO at Longleigh Foundation), Katy Neep (Campaign Manager at Business in the Community) and Stonewater customer Louise Kitson.
Read the transcript.
Episode 10: Inside Jobs part 2
On the first episode of Inside Jobs (a two-part special), our guests talked about increasing financial pressures on households and the impact of remote working on low paid workers.
In part two, guest co-hosts David Button and Jenny Sawyer, will be continuing the conversation to explore what employers can do to ensure the benefits of homeworking are experienced equally.
Featuring special guests Dave Lockerman (Director of Housing Operations), Andy Peers (CEO at Longleigh Foundation), Katy Neep (Campaign Manager at Business in the Community) and Stonewater customer Louise Kitson.
Read the transcript.
Episode 1: Choose to challenge #IWD2021
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘choose to challenge’. As an organisation, Stonewater is very conscious of ensuring it provides services to those not met by the mainstream housing market. This episode explores how the organisation is raising awareness against bias and is able to support marginalised groups across its specialist housing schemes.
Featuring Shamela Khatun (Stonewater's South Asian Women's Refuge), Sian Rios (Stonewater's dedicated LGBTQ+ Safe Space), Alison Inman (Former President of the CIH) and Valerie Wise (National Lead for Domestic Abuse, Victim Support).
Read the transcript.
Episode 2: Shared Ownership part 2
A year on from our first myth busting episode on Shared Ownership, the tenure has been called into question by Panorama and a new model is due to be proposed imminently.
To explore the questions being asked about shared ownership by investigative journalists and aspiring homeowners, we welcome back a few familiar colleagues as well as Ella Cheney, Shared Ownership Programme Manager at the National Housing Federation and Kelly McCabe, Managing Director of The Mortgage People.
Read the transcript.
Episode 3: Coronavirus a year on
A year on since the first national lockdown, our colleagues will be reflecting on the changes that have been made across the business; highlighting the positives and what’s here to stay, as well as the challenges and how they’ve been overcome to ensure Stonewater continues to adapt and change and provide services where it is safe to do so.
Episode 4: myOwnHome
In 2019, Stonewater launched its own Shared Ownership scheme exclusively for colleagues.
For the final episode of Season 2 we will hear from the colleagues who have completed their purchase and moved into their new home through the scheme, as well as explore why the scheme was created; providing an insight into the work that went into developing it.
Special episode: All Hands to the Pump
Stonewater has funded a report by think tank IPPR to develop solutions that can solve the fundamental issue of how we decarbonise our housing stock and help to tackle climate change, as well as being a core part of the economic recovery after Covid-19.
This episode special discusses the key recommendations that came out of the report, and how we can work to provide innovative solutions.
Episode 1: Five years on
Five years since the merger, we reflect on what Stonewater has achieved so far, and what the next five have in-store. With David Blower, Clare Bray and Dean Ballard.
Episode 2: The case for Shared Ownership
We discuss Stonewater's Shared Ownership model, along with challenges and misconceptions.
Episode 3: Make a Stand
In this episode we discuss the Chartered Institute of Housing's Make a Stand campaign.
Episode 4: Waterworks Lane
We're joined by The Royal British Legion and Herefordshire Council to talk about our new self-build scheme for veterans.
Episode 5: Giving customers a voice
We are one of the few housing associations that have retained our Scrutiny Panel, in this episode we hear directly from them on why they are vital in shaping our services.
