RBH take mutual approach to Downing Street

RBH take mutual approach to Downing Street

RBH had the opportunity to demonstrate its pioneering mutual approach at the highest level this week, as Chief Executive Gareth Swarbrick attended a round-table discussion on social enterprise, hosted by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.

Mr Swarbrick was one of twelve invitees (three from the social housing sector) to the event, which was held to discuss how the Government and social enterprises can work together to deliver social value, and how to enable social enterprises to make a greater contribution across society.

Also attending alongside the Prime Minister was Tracey Crouch MP, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, and senior civil servants from Number 10 and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The meeting was arranged by Lord John Bird, crossbench (independent) peer and founder of the Big Issue.

Mr Swarbrick said: "As the lead speaker on housing, I was pleased to have the opportunity to highlight RBH's ownership model as a co-owned mutual housing society, and to explain how our tenant and employee members shape our approach and priorities.

"We are proud to be focused solely on the towns and villages of Rochdale borough, building strong local partnerships to deliver social value alongside organisations that share our values.

"We know that accountability and tenant voice are key aspects being looked at as part of the Government's Housing Green Paper process, and we're keen to share what we've learned from our five years as a mutual society.

"I also highlighted our role in the creation of Circle (Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale) to address social isolation, and ongoing work, supported by DCMS grant funding, to explore a potential partnership model with an established social enterprise care provider."

Mr Swarbrick is to write to the Prime Minister to expand on the points he made at the round table. He will also highlight RBH's role in revitalising the housing offer in central Rochdale, as well as ongoing discussions with the Government about potential grant funding to support regeneration and deliver much-needed high quality new homes across Rochdale borough.

RBH and other attendees from the social enterprise sector have agreed to continue to work together, co-ordinated by Lord Bird, to ensure that social enterprises across the country can continue to deliver positive results for the communities they serve.