Today I’m joined by Nicki Duckworth, who is head of operations at Entitledto, which is the leading benefits calculator for Housing Associations and more. In this episode I’m speaking to Nicki about the benefits calculator, how it can be used in local authorities and housing associations to support residents.

Disclaimer - I do currently work with Entitltedto a few days a week in helping their Housing Association clients.

Today I’m joined by Colin Sales, the CEO of 3C Consultants, who are the leading technology and data consultancy for housing in the UK. In this episode we’re talking all about data. Now you might think data is boring, but the way you interact with your data is fundamental to the success of your projects. However, if you don’t manage your data in the best way possible, this can lead to a myriad of problems. I was captivated by Colin’s approach to data and I’m sure you will too.

Links

• Colin's LinkedIn
• Scott's LinkedIn

In this episode of Housing Bites, I have a conversation with Ravi Ravindran, who is the CEO of Lewisham Plus Credit Union. We talk about how he went from running a local Post Office to being at the helm of the organisation helping those who need financial support, and what initiatives they have put in place to make that happen.

What we cover in this episode

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:36 What is a credit union?
• 01:46 What is an affordable rate?
• 03:20 How credit unions help with budgeting
• 04:48 How did Ravi become CEO at LPCU?
• 08:58 Changes in Credit Unions over the years
• 11:52 Partnerships
• 15:06 Final message

Find out more about Lewisham Plus Credit Union

• Website
• Ravi's LinkedIn

Follow me:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

In this episode of Housing Bites, I have a conversation with Jayne Bellis, Founder & MD of Pennysmart CIC, who provide regulated telephone debt advice to residents of social housing. We talk about all things debt advice, why Pennysmart offer such a pivotal service for housing associations and the impact of the cost of living crisis.

What we cover in this episode

• Who are Pennysmart CIC
• Services they provide for housing associations
• Signing on Clarion Housing as a client
• Managing a debt advice agency vs outsourcing as a housing association
• Impact of the cost of living and debt spiralling

Find out more about Pennysmart:

• Website
• Jayne's LinkedIn

Follow me:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Hello and welcome to Housing Bites, the show where I speak to people working in and around the housing sector about the challenges we all face in our day to day working lives, all in 15 minutes or less.

I’m your host, Scott McKinven, and I have two decades of experience working for housing associations, most recently Clarion and now running my own consultancy - Aculet Consulting working with HA’s / LA’s / CU’s and Charities.

I will be speaking to Directors, Head of Services and Managers across roles in the HA sector such as Housing and Community Investment. Along with those who work with and partner HA’s, these will include Credit Union, Food Banks, Charities and other local and national suppliers.

What will we be covering I hear you ask:

Working in partnerships, the Cost of living crisis, what to do about Fuel Poverty, how we Support for the most vulnerable and Changing services to meet these needs.

Follow me on Twitter:

• Personal
• Housing Bites