We are proud to announce that Hightown have signed our commitment to the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge, a national effort to improving inclusivity and equality for LGBTQ+ people in social housing.
The LGBTQ+ Housing pledge was developed following the findings of No Place Like Home, a report that explored the real experiences of LGBTQ+ people living in social housing. It highlighted both the challenges many customers face and what they need from housing providers to feel safe, respected and at home.
Our commitment to LGBTQ+ Inclusion
The Pledge helps organisations like ours create inclusive services and homes where everyone can feel supported, valued and proud to live. We want our customers to feel safe and able to be their authentic selves, to feel at Home with Hightown.
How we are working towards this
- Building understanding through training
We’re rolling out LGBTQ+ awareness training through inductions and e learning to help staff better understand LGBTQ+ experiences and deliver more inclusive, respectful services. - Creating accessible and supportive spaces
We’re making our customer groups and community spaces more accessible and welcoming for LGBTQ+ people, providing safe environments where communities can connect and support one another. - Showing support through community engagement
We will be taking part in LGBTQ+ events with staff and customers to strengthen relationships and show our commitment to inclusion.
Over the coming months our ‘Pride’ group formed of staff from across the business will be developing a plan with the support of specialist LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall, identifying the actions we will take to achieve the full requirements of the pledge.
Our LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Champion
Meet Gemma Richardson, our Executive Director (Care & Support) and a champion of our inclusion work. Gemma is passionate about fostering a culture of trust, safety and inclusivity and dedicated to shaping a future where social housing is genuinely for everyone.
Gemma plays a crucial role in developing our EDI strategy and driving this agenda forward across the organisation, ensuring that colleagues and customers from all backgrounds are represented, supported and heard.
Gemma said: "I believe everyone deserves a home where they can be their authentic selves, where they have a true sense of belonging and feel at Home with Hightown. I am proud to work for an organisation who are within the first 100 providers to have signed up to the LGBTQ+ pledge commitments, and I am excited to see how our work in this area develops."
