In this Social Housing Round Table session, Matt Baird hosts a wide-ranging and reflective discussion with The Social Housing Round Table's Head of Partnerships, Elaine Middleton on the issues shaping social housing as the year draws to a close. The conversation explores what has stood out across recent Round Table discussions, the pressures facing organisations and leaders, and where there is cautious optimism for the year ahead. Participants reflect on lived experience, sector challenges and the importance of collaboration, honesty and shared learning in navigating ongoing change. A thoughtful session that captures the mood of the sector and offers space to pause, reflect and look forward. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this session of the Social Housing Round Table, we welcomed Louise Dawkes and Gregory Robinson from Repair My Home to explore one of the sector’s most persistent questions: should repairs be delivered through large national providers or trusted local contractors? Across a fast-moving conversation, Louise and Greg broke down what actually happens on the ground, why local trades are often under-utilised, how accreditation and compliance can be strengthened, and how their platform aims to close the gap between housing providers, contractors and residents. This episode is essential listening for anyone thinking about contractor performance, value for money, tenant satisfaction or the future of sector-wide repairs delivery. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, Becky Tucker joins Matt Baird to walk us through the latest Social Housing Sector Risk Profile. Becky offers a deep dive into the sector's evolving challenges, from financial viability to tenant safety, and reflects on what housing providers should truly be focused on as we head into 2026. If you’re in leadership, compliance, or governance, this is essential listening. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, Matt Baird is joined by Steven Johnson and Stacey Valentine in a Voicescape sponsored session for a powerful conversation on how housing providers can better support vulnerable tenants facing arrears. This session explores how behavioural insights, smarter communication, and data-led interventions can help build trust and achieve sustainable repayment outcomes—without losing the human touch. If you’re looking to balance compliance with compassion, this episode is essential listening. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this Alertacall-sponsored leadership edition of The Social Housing Round Table, Matt Baird is joined by Steven Peach to explore the looming Digital Switchover. With implications for tenants, compliance, and internal infrastructure, the conversation challenges leaders to stop treating the switchover as a future problem — and start preparing now. This session explores what needs to change, who needs to lead it, and how to ensure no one is left behind in the transition. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, Chris Griffiths of Saint-Gobain joins Matt Baird to discuss the urgent need to build better homes faster and why we’re not doing so already. From outdated myths around insulation to misconceptions about MMC and barriers caused by disconnected service design, this episode uncovers the root of our sector’s slow progress. Chris brings both frustration and optimism to the table, with a clear message: we have the knowledge and technology - what we need now is joined-up thinking, collaboration, and the courage to do things differently. A thought-provoking listen for anyone working in or alongside housing, construction, planning, policy, or procurement. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, host Matt Baird welcomes Claire Blacka from Tentacles and Steve Dungworth from Golden Marzipan to talk about their work together in Game of Homes and to explore how gamification is changing the way we engage residents and stakeholders. The session dives into the impact of meaningful, enjoyable engagement strategies, why tick-box exercises just don’t cut it anymore and how co-designed, play-based approaches can lead to more genuine conversations and outcomes in housing. Whether you work in policy, delivery or lived experience, this conversation offers practical insight on doing engagement differently and doing it better. Big thank you to Tentacles for sponsoring this session and to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

What does it take to implement Awaab’s Law in practice? In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, Matt Baird is joined by Robert Gilham, Corporate Director at whg, to share how the organisation is putting new legislation into action just two days after it came into force. From data to decision-making, communication to culture, this conversation offers a raw and honest look at the real challenges and opportunities facing social landlords right now. With over 90 stakeholders in attendance, the discussion explored the law’s wider implications on overcrowding, allocations, tenant experience and organisational structure. This episode is essential listening for anyone looking to understand how Awaab’s Law will reshape housing practice. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

Rooted in Resilience: Rethinking Leadership in Social Housing In this week’s episode of The Social Housing Round Table, we were welcomed by Julie Haydon, the new CIH President for a deeply reflective and future-focused conversation around leadership, wellbeing and workforce culture in the sector. The discussion explored how we can move away from survival-mode mindsets and into more collaborative, resilient and human-centred leadership models. From the importance of continuing successful presidential campaigns to the need for leaders to model vulnerability - not just authority - this session highlights how small cultural shifts can have big sector-wide impact. Tune in to hear how we can build a housing sector that truly supports its people - staff and tenants alike. Big thank you to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table, without them, none of this would be possible.

In this episode of The Social Housing Round Table, Elaine Middleton welcomes Giles Desforges, CEO of Energy Park, to explore the growing conversation around EV (Electric Vehicle) charging in the social housing sector. Giles unpacks why housing providers are hesitant to install EV infrastructure themselves, how Norway’s adoption model sets the benchmark and what funding and policy shifts are needed to encourage uptake. We also look at practical considerations for installing chargers in blocks, how to futureproof asset management plans and whether this is a distraction or an opportunity for the sector. Big thanks to Energy Park for sponsoring this session of The Social Housing Round Table and of course, big thanks go to Case Management Solutions Group Ltd and Alertacall Ltd for sponsoring The Social Housing Round Table throughout 2025, without them, none of this would be possible.