Community groups and networks
Local groups are a great way to connect with people while helping to improve services.
Our nationwide community groups help you to have your say and make a difference to communities across the country.
National community groups and networks
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Service Improvement Group – supporting LGBTQ+ issues
- Clarion 55 – giving a voice to residents over the age of 55
- National ambassadors – giving a voice to residents aged 18-25
To join a network, or to find out more information, please email our resident involvement team.
Clarion 55
Clarion 55 (C55) is a national network for residents over the age of 55. It gives them a voice on key issues, like our age-friendly strategy or the Homeshare project. To ensure everyone has a say on our work, we also pair C55 group members with Clarion staff.
Some of the issues C55 has recently looked at include:
- social isolation and loneliness
- physical and mental wellbeing
- age-friendly strategies to allow people of all ages to participate fully in society.
C55 also works with our national ambassadors (aged 18-25) to break down barriers and identify similar experiences that can affect both age groups.
It’s also about improving lives for LGBTQ+ residents and making sure they’re less fearful, especially in their own homes.
Kate Warlow Hughes,
O&A network
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Service Improvement Group
The ED&I Service Improvement Group will support HouseProud Pledge accreditation, working on specific, necessary diversity and inclusion projects. Where needed, they will look at processes, procedures, and end-to-end product and service quality, whilst contributing to and driving service improvement.
The group operates on behalf of all Clarion residents, ensuring we provide resident-centred approaches to highest standard service, while sharing good practice.
Find out more about harassment or hate crimes
HouseProud Pledge
In 2019, O&A (the ED&I group's predecessor) helped develop the HouseProud Pledge scheme, a joint venture with national housing providers and Surrey University. The scheme challenges housing providers to demonstrate how they support LGBTQ+ residents.
National ambassadors
Our national ambassadors are a team of residents aged 18-25 from across the country. Together they share the views of young people on our services, communications, and policies. In return, they get the opportunity to learn new skills and work on their career and personal development, while meeting new people and making friends.
National ambassadors are also able to:
- access training and support
- gain experience in event organising and project management
- develop their teamwork and media skills
- make a difference to community and national services.
Ambassadors are involved with the programme for a year, but many go on to participate in other groups or activities to help further improve services.
In 2019, our ambassadors focused on two main priorities: creating safer, happier communities and improving perceptions of young people, which included delivering a workshop for 100 young people and youth providers from across the country.
Being a national ambassador has been an amazing experience, I’m more confident in my day-to-day life.
Lauren
national ambassador
I would 100% recommend becoming an ambassador, not only to empower yourself, but other young people too.
Cain
national ambassador
Meet national ambassador, Cain
“I grew up in a single-parent family in Penge. Life wasn’t easy and we struggled financially. I got involved in gangs and as part of a programme to escape this lifestyle we moved to west London for a fresh start.
“I was inspired to not only transform my life, but also other young people’s.
“I set up my music business, which includes Grafterboy a record label offering young people who have also come from disadvantaged backgrounds, an opportunity to break into the industry.
“I thought the national ambassador scheme would be a great opportunity, not only for my personal development, but as a way to combine my aspirations with my passion for music.”
Residents’ annual report 2023-2024
Explore the latest edition of our residents' report.
Resident involvement successes
Find out how residents have helped to improve our services across the country.
News, stories and guides
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