Welsh Housing Awards 2024
Read all the shortlisted entries into this award category, excellence in championing equality and diversity, at the Welsh Housing Awards (WHA) 2024 and find out who won the award on the night.
This award recognises organisations leading on promoting equality and diversity within their businesses.
This award was sponsored by Tai Wales and West Housing.
Winning project name
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group
Winning organisation
Melin Homes
Statement of support
At Melin, we create a culture that is inclusive, fair and free from harassment and discrimination with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) embedded into everything we do.
We want to raise the bar in terms of EDI, ensuring that Melin brings out the best of everybody’s talents. We know that including and valuing a broader range of people will help us to deliver improved services, nurture our working culture and celebrate diversity in our communities and workplaces.
In 2022 we embarked on the QED Leaders Award process, and in August 2024 we achieved the award, making us the first housing association in Wales to achieve this prestigious and nationally recognised equality and diversity accreditation.
Here is a snapshot of our achievements:
- Melin have been awarded Disability Confident Level 3 accreditation
- An accessibility working group has been set up
- Melin have improved the diversity of board and staff team
- All job adverts have been reviewed for accessibility and language
- There has been a review of reasonable adjustments made for disabled applicants
- Melin have better informed policies around disability following our work with the Welsh government’s disability champion
- Melin have made better contacts with disability and race organisations who are willing to advertise Melin vacancies within their organisations
- Melin have made their website and recruitment materials more representative
- Melin are working collaboratively with other housing associations who have programmes centred on encouraging ethnic minorities into roles in the housing sector
- Melin have started working with universities in Wales and providing internship opportunities for international students and potential employment with Melin
- Melin have undertaken unconscious bias in recruitment training for all the protected characteristics for personnel sitting on interview panels
- Melin are actively collecting residents EDI data to help us understand trends and make better decisions. This data will be fed back into our teams to ensure we provide excellent services
- Melin’s resident engagement team are constantly employing innovative ways to engage our tenants, promoting the sector to encourage under-represented people
- Working with leadership and embedding the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) into processes. Always being vigilant around how changes to policies may affect people with protected characteristics
- Melin present EDI information to their board and produce quarterly reports and updates
- Melin have updated our website with our EDI strategy and action plans
- Melin added EDI and wellbeing to one to one conversations and team meeting agendas
- Melin added more EDI content and training to adobe learning manager and are planning more throughout the year
- Melin reviewed our complaints form and satisfaction surveys to help us collect EDI data, which will help us improve our services for residents
- Melin included equality and diversity key performance indicators, so we have specific EDI goals to target and measure
- Melin signed the Stonewall HouseProud pledge scheme which is aimed at promoting equality and enhancing the quality of life for LGBTQ+ residents in social housing.
All of these changes and the ongoing work we are doing will help us build a more inclusive and diverse environment for staff and residents.
Outcomes and achievements
- Implemented changes to our recruitment processes following unconscious bias training, ensuring fairer and more inclusive hiring practices.
- Melin saw a dramatic increase in staff disclosing disabilities (from 0.8 per cent to 20.4 per cent) after updating our equality monitoring form. This helps us better support our staff’s needs.
- Melin quickly collected 93 per cent of staff EDI data, allowing us to enhance staff experiences and improve inclusion.
- Held focus groups with staff from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with disabilities, using lived experiences to drive meaningful changes.
- Launched a new EDI page on website, featuring action plan, pledges, Disability Confident mark, showcasing our commitment to equality.
- Worked with universities, including the University of South Wales, to provide internships for international students, fostering diversity within our teams.
- Established an accessibility working group to ensure all communication meets accessibility standards, from font sizes to video narration.
- Melin recommissioned our satisfaction survey to analyse responses by disability, race, and age, ensuring inclusive feedback from all residents.
- Melin developed the Listen, Act, and Learn group, giving residents opportunities to influence our services and satisfaction rates.
- Built strong partnerships with external organisations, increasing the number of diverse applicants and strengthening our recruitment.
Shortlisted entries
Merthyr Tydfil CBC - Glynmil GRT Community Group
Application entry
- Project name: Glynmil GRT Community Group
- Lead organisation: Merthyr Tydfil CBC
Statement of support
Merthyr Tydfil CBC is dedicated to supporting the Gypsy Traveller community through various initiatives aimed at improving their quality of life and fostering a culture of equality and diversity. Their Gypsy Roma Traveller officer has recently founded the Glynmil Community Group on their traveller site, with the aim of enabling the group to apply for external funding to support the Gypsy Traveller community. They have implemented several impactful changes and initiatives that have significantly benefited the community and helped break down prejudice and stigma.
One of their key initiatives is organising fitness and cooking classes for the residents. These classes not only promote physical health and wellbeing but also provide opportunities for social interaction and community building. Additionally, they host coffee mornings at their centre, offering residents a welcoming space to socialise and connect with one another.
Recently, they were awarded funding to organise a fun day to celebrate Gypsy Traveller History Month. This event was open to everyone, attracting individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. The celebration played a crucial role in breaking down prejudice and stigma associated with the Gypsy Traveller community, fostering a sense of inclusion and understanding among attendees.
They have also established a food pantry on site, supported by external funding. The pantry provides essential items to residents at a minimal fee, ensuring that everyone has access to necessary resources. The funds collected are reinvested into the pantry, allowing them to continuously restock and support the community. This initiative not only addresses food insecurity but also empowers residents by giving them a voice in the management and operation of the pantry.
The group is committed to non-discriminatory practices and equal opportunities. Membership is open to all individuals who support the group’s aims and are willing to abide by the constitution. They ensure that policies and activities are inclusive, non-party political, and non-sectarian, reflecting their dedication to equality and diversity.
The group operates with a management committee elected by the members, ensuring that the voices of the community are heard and represented. This democratic approach empowers residents to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, fostering a sense of ownership and involvement.
The group actively seeks to develop partnerships with surrounding organisations to enhance traveller engagement and benefit. By collaborating with voluntary and statutory organisations, government departments, and individuals, they bring together diverse perspectives and resources to support the community.
In addition to social and economic initiatives, they are committed to improving the green spaces on-site. This not only enhances the living environment for residents but also promotes a sense of pride and community spirit.
The organisation’s efforts to promote equality and diversity are evident in the positive changes and initiatives they have implemented. From organising community activities and celebrating cultural heritage to addressing food insecurity and fostering inclusive decision-making, they are dedicated to improving the lived experience of the Gypsy Traveller community. The commitment to non-discriminatory practices and equal opportunities ensures that everyone has a voice and a place in the community.
They believe that their initiatives not only benefit the residents but also contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society. By continuing to secure funding and develop partnerships, they aim to further their mission and create lasting positive impacts for the Gypsy Traveller community.
Outcomes and achievements
They have secured funding for the orchid, allowing residents to use produce grown on site. This initiative supports mental health and wellbeing by providing a therapeutic activity for the community.
The community group has also secured funding for a food pantry on site, supporting residents with essential items and relieving some financial burden.
Additionally, the group secured funding for a fun day to celebrate Gypsy Traveller History Month, bringing the whole community together. Individuals from non-travelling backgrounds also visited Glynmill, helping to break down prejudice towards the Gypsy Traveller community.
Theory test training is another initiative delivered on site, supporting residents in passing their theory test, with the test fully funded.
The group has also secured funding for Halloween and Christmas discos, providing festive activities that foster community spirit and enjoyment.
Furthermore, they have liaised with external agencies to arrange suitable training for residents. As a result, several individuals have enrolled with Merthyr College for further training, enhancing their skills and future prospects.
