Melin Homes first to achieve ‘Leader’ status in national equality mark
Melin Homes has become the first social landlord in Wales to achieve ‘Leader’ status in a prestigious and nationally-recognised equality and diversity mark.
The QED Leaders Award, developed by Tai Pawb, is the next stage of the original QED Award, recognising its role as a leader in the field.
Melin Homes, which manages some 4.500 homes, was the first social landlord in Wales to achieve the then-groundbreaking QED Award in 2017, joined by eight social landlords in the seven years that have followed (Merthyr Valleys Homes, Cynon Taf Community Housing, Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association, Cadwyn, Newydd, RHA Wales, First Choice Housing and North Wales Housing Association).
Awarded by an independent panel, the QED Leaders Award considers areas of the business such as culture and strategy, as well as the experience of customers, colleagues and the wider community. Specific to the Leaders category, beyond the initial award, are four distinct elements:
- Leading, which looks at how equality, diversity and inclusion is driven by board and leaders
- Including, giving consideration as to whether the organisation is becoming more diverse, and how it makes sure everyone feels safe and valued
- Listening, ensuring that the business acts on the views of diverse colleagues, communities and residents
- Practising, through developing a bespoke EDI project to make an improvement for a specific group of people or stakeholders
In doing so, assessors have taken a deep-dive into data derived from staff and leadership surveys, a robust self-assessment by Melin and constructive challenge offered by Tai Pawb staff.
Being the first to undertake the Leaders Award, Melin Homes has provided valuable insights over the last 18 months that will shape the delivery of the work moving forward.
Commenting on its success, Chief Executive of Melin Homes, Paula Kennedy, said:
“I am immensely proud of our achievements – being the first housing association to pilot and be awarded the QED Leaders Award is outstanding, and testament to the hard work of everyone involved and our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. We have such a positive partnership with Tai Pawb, their support and engagement throughout the process has been invaluable.
“The QED Leaders process has enabled us to improve and enhance our approach across the association, specifically improving diversity in our recruitment, helping us build a more inclusive and diverse environment for our staff and residents. Equality, diversity and inclusion is embedded throughout our association and is at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Tai Pawb, continually improving and building on our success.”
Alicja Zalesinska, Chief Executive of Tai Pawb, added:
“Huge congratulations/llongyfarchiadau are due to Melin Homes on being the first social landlord in Wales to achieve the QED Leaders Award.
“Building on its success, having been awarded QED in 2017, staff, board members and tenants at Melin Homes have continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation.
“Indeed, the progress made by Melin has resulted in several notable outcomes and impacts. Among these are examples of good practice that highlight Melin’s positive ethos, but also set a benchmark for other organisations. These will serve as a catalyst for further progress over the next three years and beyond, and we are looking forward to supporting them moving forward”.
