Attended by over 100 delegates, the particular focus was on how community-based housing associations help to support their tenants and communities to be as resilient as possible.

Plenary sessions provided delegates with the opportunity to hear from a range of speakers about the principles which underpin resilience and the different levels it can operate at, including individual, community and organisational resilience.

As always, delegates also visited a range of café sessions. This year, these featured six Forum members talking about their associations’ activities and projects which help support resilience. This included compelling and powerful accounts from tenants and local volunteers about the difference being involved had made to their own lives.

Colleen Rowan, GWSF’s research and policy lead, said: “We’re delighted with the success of our summer conference, and we know from delegates’ feedback that they really enjoyed the day and found it both useful and interesting.

“The focus on resilience was particularly timely, since over the past few years we’ve witnessed individuals and communities throughout Scotland reeling from the lingering consequences of the pandemic, bringing increased poverty and inequality. These ‘societal long-Covid’ impacts have subsequently been exacerbated by the challenges of a Cost of Living crisis, with huge rises in fuel and food costs.

“We recognise that our members’ tenants and communities have been disproportionately impacted. Furthermore, as our recent report on the pressures on tenancy sustainment services highlighted, community-based associations themselves are under increasing strain. Given all of this, building resilience is more crucial than ever.

“We would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who helped to make the day such a big success. The delegates, all the plenary speakers and café session presenters, SHARE colleagues for their event management support, and to all at Roystonhill Community Hub – a venue which really encapsulates resilience building in action!”