Celebrating International Women’s Day

Tomorrow we are marking International Women's Day 2020 and celebrating the achievements of women in social housing and our local community, and the men who support them.

We have a series of activities planned, which we’re encouraging all our colleagues to get involved with to make them a success.

Heidi Thompson, Director of Homes and Investment said: “International Women’s Day is a brilliant occasion to mark the accomplishments of women making a difference across our business and in the wider communities. I am delighted to be taking part in the Question Time sessions that have been planned.

“The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day event is ‘each for equal’, and I’m passionate about making our social housing and construction more inclusive for women and attracting, retaining and developing female talent. But it’s not all about women - we need the support of men to help change attitudes and reduce the gender gap in our sector and I’m thrilled to hear that so many of our male colleagues are getting involved in the day.”

What’s happening?

Question Time panel events at Primrose Place and First Place

We will be hearing from inspiring women from across our organisation and the local Oldham community and our staff will have the opportunity to put their own questions to them.

Confirmed speakers on our panels are:

Primrose Place
Netty Southward, Environmental Operative
Shumi Ikeweta, Corporate Support Officer
Heidi Thompson, Director of Homes and Investment

First Place
Cllr Arooj Shah, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council & Cabinet Member for Social Justice and Communities
Heidi Thompson, Director of Homes and Investment
Juliet Bennett, Assistant Income Collection Manager

Pledge walls at Primrose Place and First Place

All colleagues are invited to do their bit to help forge a gender equal world by pledging to take action and write their personal commitment on our pledge walls.

Social media activity on Workplace, Facebook and Twitter

Throughout the day we’ll be sharing posts on social media about International Women’s Day – join the conversation using #EachforEqual and #NotJustHomes.

Help tackle period poverty in Oldham this month

Period poverty is an issue facing millions of women in the UK unable to access or afford sanitary products. It’s estimated that one in ten girls have been unable to afford personal hygiene products and many women have to choose between buying sanitary wear for them and their daughter(s), or food for their family.

Tomorrow we are launching our appeal to colleagues for donations of sanitary towels and tampons that we will distribute to customers and local women in need.

International Men’s Day November 2020

We’ll also be marking International Men’s Day in November and we’re asking colleagues to volunteer to help us plan the celebrations. More news on this will be shared later in the year.