21 Talks

Activities to positively impact your wellbeing

Across Housing 21 we often talk about wellbeing and the importance of it, but what does it actually mean for residents living in our schemes?
Local Housing Manager Laura Gilling is passionate about the benefits physical activity can have on people’s wellbeing. In this episode of 21 Talks, she sits down with residents Zohra and Austin to find out what activities positively contribute to their wellbeing, as well as advice they’d give to other residents who are looking to try something new.
Episode time stamps
00:00 – Intro
01:18 – Austin and Zohra share where they live and how long they’ve been a Housing 21 resident
02:15 – Benefits of outdoor space  
03:00 – What it’s like to be a basketball coach
05:18 – Completing a cooking course
05:52 – Chair-based exercise classes
07:47 – Residents leading on group activities
09:37 – What does wellbeing mean to you?
11:14 – Advice for people looking to try a new hobby
15:04 – Outro
Further information: 
If you’re a Housing 21 resident interested in taking part in a future episode or have a topic you’d like us to explore on an upcoming episode, we’d love to hear from you by filling out this form.
Learn more about our pet policy for residents.
If you’re interested in a career in care or housing, check out our latest vacancies.
Connect with Housing 21 on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Housing21
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/housing21
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Housing21/

Getting to grips with tech

Technology plays an important role in our everyday lives. 
It enables people to stay connected with one another, order food, pay bills and shop, and for some, enables them to do their jobs effectively from home. However, this always been the case.
Across the UK, there are still many people who do not have the digital skills needed to use a laptop or tablet, with Age UK estimating that two million people aged over 75 are digitally excluded, including Housing 21 residents Rosina and Pauline.
In the first half of this 21 Talks episode, host Geoff Hopcraft, Lead Learning and Organisational Development Partner for the South at Housing 21, is joined by the duo to hear more about their experiences of using technology and the steps they are taking to improve their knowledge.
Geoff is then joined by Local Housing Manager Dave Vause to discuss how Housing 21, through its digital strategyand partnership with Barclays Digital Eagles is supporting residents like Pauline and Rosina.
 
Episode time stamps
00:00 – Intro
02:29 – Rosina and Pauline’s experience using technology
08:36 – Benefits of using tech   
15:00 – Dave’s experience and passion for improving digital skills
17:13 – What devices are typically used by residents
18:45 – What are Housing 21’s Digital Champions
23:35 – Advice for listeners who want to improve their digital skills
24:34 – Outro
 
Further information: 
If you’re a Housing 21 resident interested in taking part in a future episode or have a topic you’d like us to explore on an upcoming episode, we’d love to hear from you by filling out this form.
 
Read more about Transform 21 on page 17 of our Housing 21 Strategic Commitments Report.
 
Find out more about our Digital Eagles and Digital Champions please contact your Local Housing Manager or visit: Digital learning - your way | Digital Wings (uk.barclays)  
 
Connect with Housing 21 on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Housing21
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/housing21
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Housing21/

Financial Wellbeing, Housing 21’s Tenancy Gurus and Helping Hands Fund

In 2021, Housing 21 launched a new scheme aiming to provide specialist training for employees to act as Tenancy Gurus. These colleagues are part of a commitment to helping residents sustain a healthy tenancy, preventing issues, such as rent and service charge arrears, before they arise. They’re also key to delivering Housing 21’s Helping Hands Fund, which offers residents a one-off grant for when something unexpected arises affecting their financial wellbeing.   
   
In this episode of 21 Talks, host Nikki-Leigh Dipper,  Business Improvement Officer at Housing 21, sits down with residents David and Emma (not their real names) who have both received support through our Tenancy Gurus initiative to share their experiences and advice on seeking financial support and advice.   
  
Next to them, are guest panellists and Court Managers Jessica Ettridge and Julie Izzard, who have both been heavily involved with the initiative to talk more about how this approach is enabling independent living through financial confidence, dignity and autonomy, as well as how it collectively saved residents £700,000 in its first year. 
 
Episode time stamps 
00:00 – Introduction 
02:21 – Why was Tenancy Gurus first setup? 
04:43 – Guests share their stories about the support the received through Tenancy Gurus  
14:00 – Brief summary of what Helping Hands is 
14:20 – Tenancy Gurus share their stories on support provided to residents 
17:09 – More about the helping hands fund and Housing 21’s Make A Difference (MAD) days 
18:47 – Information on how to apply for the Helping Hands fund 
19:13 – Stories from guests and Tenancy Gurus about how Helping Hands has helped residents 
26:10 – What’s next for Tenancy Gurus? 
27:14 – Guests sum up the Tenancy Gurus initiative in one word 
27:56 – Advice for listeners who are struggling to talk about money 
29:15 – Outro  
 
Further information:  
If you’re a Housing 21 resident interested in taking part in a future episode or have a topic you’d like us to explore on an upcoming episode, we’d love to hear from you by filling out this form. 
 
Connect with Housing 21 on 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Housing21 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/housing21 
 
 
 
 

Inclusivity, allyship and the LGBTQ+ community

It’s estimated that there are one million people aged 55 or over in the UK today, who identify as LGBTQ+. In this episode of 21 Talks, host John Simmonds – Respect and Inclusion Lead at Housing 21 – sits down with residents Debz and Terry to learn more about their first-hand experiences of society’s changing attitudes towards this particular community.  
From allyship to the importance of feeling safe and accepted for who they are, Debz and Terry share their thoughts on equality and diversity – as well as exploring what life’s really like, living in their retirement living schemes. 
 
Further information:  
Our Respect and Inclusion strategy sets out how we plan to be a champion for inclusion and how we will create an environment that celebrates difference. To find out more, visit: https://www.housing21.org.uk/about-us/respect-and-inclusion/  
 
Learn more about our courts and the homes that we currently have available: https://www.housing21.org.uk/our-properties/  
 
If you’re a Housing 21 resident interested in taking part in a future episode or have a topic you’d like us to explore on an upcoming episode, we’d love to hear from you by filling out this form. 
 
Connect with Housing 21 on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Housing21
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/housing21

Extra Care Academy

In the latest episode of 21 Talks, guest host and Housing 21 resident Jill is sitting down with colleagues Steph Lee (Housing and Care Manager) and Jamie Lindon-Lewis (Head of Quality Assurance and Commissioning) to talk about their career journeys, what it’s like to work in care and how people can join the care industry’s first Extra Care Academy. 
The course, which aims to tackle misconceptions that there are no clearly defined career paths in care, will enable workers to progress to management roles – such as Assistant Care or Housing Manager, Scheme Manager and even Regional Manager – while also including a Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification. 
Resources mentioned in this episode: 
Find out more about the Extra Academy: https://www.housing21.org.uk/about-us/our-news/housing-21-launches-industrys-first-extra-care-academy-to-support-care-workers-to-progress/  
Are you a Housing 21 resident interested in taking part in a future episode? Or do you have a topic you’d like us to explore on an upcoming episode? We’d love to hear from you: https://www.housing21.org.uk/resident-information/join-the-housing-21-podcast/  

Achieving sustainability together

According to the Committee on Climate Change, 40% of UK emissions come from households. For Housing 21, sustainability means reducing the emissions generated within our properties, but our residents have a huge role in contributing to and scrutinising these plans, focusing on the green initiatives that will suit their lifestyles.
To kickstart the series, guest host Simon is sitting down with Housing 21 resident ambassadors David and Heather, as well as Retirement Living Manager, Antony Walker and Property Improvement Manager Ashley Norwood to talk about the organisation’s sustainability journey so far and its future plans for achieving net-zero.
Further information: 
Housing 21 was named by Housing Digital as one of the top 30 sustainable housing providers in 2021: https://www.housing21.org.uk/about-us/our-news/housing-21-a-top-30-sustainable-housing-provider/  
 
Interested in getting involved? 
If you have an idea for a podcast or would be interested in featuring on an episode, then we’d love to hear from you. Residents can get in touch through our website.

21 Talks - Trailer

The pandemic has greatly impacted people’s views of what it means to be older, with much of the language now assuming that those above a certain age must be vulnerable or at high risk.
At Housing 21, we want to share the real-life stories of our residents and put them at the heart of the conversation - spotlighting the topics and discussions that matter most to them.
From the climate crisis to moving into a scheme with your partner, 21 Talks, will challenge the way older people are represented and talked about in everyday conversations by showing that, at every age, everyone has important opinions to share.
So, join the discussion and subscribe to our podcast channel now, to make sure you don’t miss the first episode.
Connect with Housing 21 on:
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LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/housing21/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Housing21/)