This interview is part of our three-part piece on Women in Housing. You can find the background information to these interviews in our ‘Women in
Author: Gaby Wolferink
‘If you don’t like it, just leave’ – Social Housing’s ‘Competition Fallacy’ and Tenant Engagement Red Flags
A while ago, in August of last year to be precise, I read the article ‘Out of Our League‘ by Alistair McIntosh, CEO of HQN.
Language Matters – The use of ‘vulnerable’ and other depowering phrases in housing
Society, including the housing sector, has a tendency to use words like ‘vulnerable’ as an umbrella term, and to use phrases like ‘giving a voice’ when talking about pepole who for some reason or another have been placed in a position of less power, by others, potentially them.
This article explores what the use of these phrases implies and which power imbalances it creates and upholds. It argues that the sector should stop using language like this and works towards an inclusive language that doesn’t contribute to maintaining power imbalances and stigmatising perceptions.
Assumption is the mother of all f*ck-ups – Key Digital Exclusion lessons from a prime-time hospital drama
More and more prime-time television series address everyday issues. From covid to Black Lives Matters, the last year has seen a surge in TV writers sharing their thoughts about the world and ‘the system’ through their series. New Amsterdam is one such series. A modern hospital drama. It has (and still is) addressing Covid and BLM in very (much needed) painful ways, and combined it in its latest episode with a focus on (effects of) digital exclusion. Dr Gaby Wolferink gives you the key lessons here.
Opinion: Dampen your Mould – The dire state of housing in the UK
The dire state of housing and the poor conditions in which many private rented sector, council and social housing tenants are living has been brought to the forefront yet again in recent weeks.
Good, because this needs to be addressed. SHM’s Dr Gaby Wolferink writes about her views and experiences and thinks about how sensor technology can and should be used to build better housing, fit for the 21st century, for everyone, not just those who can afford it.
2021: A Home Odyssey
In this article Dr Gaby Wolferink looks back to 2020 and what she feels should be the key lessons to be brought into 2021 and beyond.
It ended up a story of privilege and a call to action for tech providers, architects and social housing providers to start building homes fit to harbour someone in a pandemic, in safety, instead of being yet another concern.
Innovation isn’t Rocket Science
We always think of innovation as being ‘digital’, ‘technology’, ‘shiny’ and combining this into ‘groundbreaking’ stuff, like rocket science…
But, just because rocket science is innovation, innovation isn’t rocket science. Too often we see ‘digital’ and ‘technology’ as the goal, rather than improving people’s lives.
#Housingday: The Importance of a Home
7th October 2020 is UK #Housingday, an iniative brought to life and led by Leslie Channon.
SHM Co-Founder Dr Gaby Wolferink wrote an article for the #HousingDay website, republished here, on the importance of having a place to call home.
qlinker: Digitizing for minimal human action
By: Marcel Vogel (qlinker): About three years ago, qlinker was presented as the first digital housing association in the Netherlands. With the experience of a
Language Matters: It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it…
We use language every day, in everything we do. Whether it’s spoken, written, signed or even drawn. It’s how we communicate, and, as recipients get an idea of what people think of us. That’s why language matters in social housing.
Call for Articles: LGBTQ+
The journey for LGBTQ+ rights so far has been a long one, but it is one that is ongoing. We can celebrate amazing achievements such
September 2020 Newsletter
Dear reader, When we launched on the 15th of June 2020 we promised to anyone subscribing that we would not spam you on a daily
Is your SHA (in) a Strip Club?
By: Dr Gaby Wolferink @drgabywolferink STRIP CLUBS? WHAT? ON A SOCIAL HOUSING WEBSITE? WHAT? WHY? Have I got your attention? I hope so! When I
The Data Chainsaw Massacre: Digital Tools, not Solutions
By: Dr Gaby Wolferink @drgabywolferink The Tree Imagine I was moaning to someone about the massive tree in my back garden blocking out the summer
Call for Articles – July 2020
We continue to invite you to share your stories, expertise, knowledge and ideas with us and other people passionate about the future of social housing.
The Digital Threat From Within: The Need for Data Integrity Experts
When we talk of digital exclusion and people not being able to ‘do things digitally’, we often or mostly talk about the people who use our services. But what about the people providing your services; do they know what they’re doing?
Digital Exclusion: It really is ‘a thing’
By Dr Gaby Wolferink @drgabywolferink Everyone who knows me knows that in my daily life, apart from administrative and in my twitter handle I’m not
Running and supporting Work Clubs – Time for a Re-Think
By Dr Gaby Wolferink @drgabywolferink Many housing associations and local councils support, fund and run a variety of community groups in their localities. Among those