And the real loser is…
Unfortunately it’s us, the residents who GreenSquareAccord claim to put at the heart of everything they do. Did you get your invite to this year’s Housing Awards or was it just mine that was lost? As always, we are not alone.
The Award Season!
As many of you will know, I’m no fan of these award ceremonies. It’s different if you are a captain of industry and your company has launched an innovative new product that has netted your company millions while doubling the value of your shares In those situations, you can waste your profits how you see fit. It’s something quite different when you barely pay minimum wage to your core frontline staff, yet waste hundreds of thousands paying your senior leaders (the ones who will no doubt be invited to this event) yet seem to lack the funding to carry out basic repairs.
You already know what I think. At best it is a clear demonisation of a sector too out of touch with it’s many residents. GreenSquareAccord have nominated themselves for what I call the Shipping Container Debacle, and I’ve already lamented on how empty many of these highly celebrated awards are, so no need for me to repeat myself - especially when others often put it better.
Before we look at how this event is viewed by others, let’s look at how much it will cost us as residents of GreenSquareAccord.
How much is this costing us?
Let’s start with the cheap seats. Lets say GreenSquareAccord wish to just send the core team behind what they call an ‘innovating idea that is reshaping the sector’. Well, they’ll certainly be sending Rachel Crownshaw, who is known by GreenSquareAccord staff as someone who will always turn up when there is a photo opportunity. Ms Crownshaw was the one who pushed this out to the sector as being the most inspirational bit of thinking since shipping containers were invented at the end of the 18th century (I’ve exaggerated a little but you get my point) - I’ve wasted enough words on this fool’s errand as it is, you can read Rachel in her own words.
GreenSquareAccord might also (if focused on keeping the numbers down) want to send Ken Neale as he too put his name to this endeavour. However he has since jumped ship(ping container) for a company where he can drive real change and play a key role in providing a noteworthy service.
So if they just send Rachel then it will cost the residents of GreenSquareAccord one standard seat - £370
Then let us assume that Rachel lives in the Cheltenham area and will be traveling by car (about 270 mile round trip) which based on some assumptions is about £70 in fuel costs. Hotel costs (again lets chose and average of between £70 - £130) - £100
Then ‘a girl’s got to eat’, let’s provide a conservative food budget of £50.
For Rachel to go on her own it will cost the residents of GreenSquareAccord £590 (there or there about).
They won’t just send Rachel…
Let’s say they want to send five people. Well they can buy a table for five at a cost to us of £1,475. Let us assume that the hotel and travel arrangements remain the same, (£220 x 5) £1,100. Maybe some will car share so we can take off £100.
For five key GreenSquareAccord members to attend - £2,475 (roughly).
What if they send most of the Executive Management Team
Well it just so happens that GreenSquareAccord will be able to buy a table for ten at a cost to us of £2,700. Lets add the travel and accommodation (£220 x 10) £2,200. Let’s be fair and round that down as some might car share £2,000. So far the event has cost us residents just under £5k. This total is, of course, assuming that we won’t be funding the bar tab..
How much?
Roughly between £500 - £5k for the night. You tell me if you think it’s worth it.
For a sector out of touch - here’s a reminder of what the residents thought about it last year!
Is there anything we can do?
Perhaps.
We can certainly protest again, which will help shine a light on the issue. The award ceremony has been moved from London to Manchester and from an evening slot to an afternoon ceremony. Perhaps (the more cynical amongst us will assume) to avoid protests from happening again this year. If you’re not able to take a day off work and travel to Manchester there are other options.
You can sign and donate to the Cancel the CIH/Inside Housing UK Housing Awards Event 2022
You can also email your housing association requesting that they listen to the voice of the customer and not waste your money on attending this event.
Other voices
SHAC - have this to say.
While GreenSquareAccord are delighted!
UK Housing Awards on why your association should sign up for these awards!
In conclusion…
When our housing associations are serving their communities as they should, then it’ll be a day for us to celebrate. They’ll have no louder a voice of support than us residents. But until that day, how dare they waste our money on such shenanigans…
Will the listed associations be attending? Of course they will. The UK Housing Awards didn’t come upon them by chance, you have to nominate yourself and agree to purchase a table for the event!
Email your CEO today.