No limits

At Women in Social Housing, we recognise that whilst many women work in housing associations and local authority housing departments, few get to board or director level.

We also have proof that senior women are woefully underrepresented in the contractors, developers and even the consultant practices working in the affordable housing sector.

Our recent career survey indicated that the vast majority of our members do still experience the concept of a ‘glass ceiling’. 

In these difficult economic times when many are facing uncertainty in the sector, we feel that the support, guidance and networking opportunities we offer at WISH are more relevant than ever.

When I originally started WISH, supported shortly after and ever since by Debra Constance, I had no idea how popular the concept would be. We now have a database of over 400 women who receive our communications and have paying members in excess of 200.

Currently based in London, we meet formally four times a year which is an evening networking event based around an external speaker. We have had presentations from at least three female CEO’s of housing associations about their experiences of getting into the sector.

Our current initiative as a group is to consider what more can be done to encourage women to join the affordable housing sector, retain them once they are in it and then to succeed to senior positions.

WISH believes that by educating young women about the vast array of roles in the sector, supporting them in their career via mentors (male and female) and creating the conducive environments for women to succeed, we will change the image of affordable housing as a career choice.

We would be absolutely delighted to hear from anyone who would like to come to speak at one of our events. Likewise we would be pleased to hear from any individuals keen to set up a regional branch of WISH outside London

The best way to contact us is through LinkedIn ‘Women In Social Housing’ or our Facebook page. More details can also be found on www.wishgb.co.uk

Nicola Dibb is the founder of Women in Social Housing

This week’s Inside Housing is a special edition looking at the role of women in the sector. See all the articles