All 3 logs- TPAS, TC and DCLG Bridging the Gap – North East Regional Conference Programme Date 28 January 2015 Venue Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle The Close, Quayside Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3RT Time 10.00am - 3.30pm 9.15 Arrival/registrations/refreshments 10.00 Opening Session Welcome from Jenny Osbourne, CEO, TPAS Speaker 1 - Jill Haley (CEO Byker Community Trust) - Jill will talk about the inspiring journey Byker Community Trust have been on to put people at the heart of everything they do Speaker 2 - Richard Mandunya, Tenant Central Peer Mentor and SOHA Tenant 11.00 Break 11.15 Workshop Session 1 Value for Money Involvement lounge Get digi with it “Owl” help you get online! (See separate sheet for workshop details) 12.25 Lunch 1.25 Workshop session 2 Value for Money Involvement lounge Get digi with it Human Library (See separate sheet for workshop details) 2.35 Break All 3 logs- TPAS, TC and DCLG 2.50 Real Life Reform Real Life reform is an important and unique study that has been tracking and reporting over the past 18 months how people are living and coping with Welfare Reforms across the North of England. The final report is due to be published early 2015. Come along and hear the hard hitting and emotional facts and experiences of tenants, looking at the financial and human impact of welfare reform changes. 3.15 Your Community Reports – LIVE REPORTS 3.30 Close All 3 logs- TPAS, TC and DCLG Workshop Session – 11.15am- 12.25pm Value for Money Val Alker - TPAS Assistant Training Manager This session takes a look at what ‘Value for Money’ really means, not just the ‘money’ side of it but what we mean by ‘value’ and how this can be assessed. Tenants can have a useful role in contributing to their landlord’s Annual Value for Money Statements. Find out some of the key things you need to know to assess the value for money provided by your landlord. Involvement Lounge Gillian McLaren - TPAS Consultancy Manager North Involvement Lounges are a great opportunity for tenants to get together with other tenants to discuss different areas of involvement. The session allows for: • Networking • Sharing best practice • Exchanging and creating new ideas • Discussion on involvement • Making connections for the future Getting Digi with it - Using digital tools in tenant participation Gary Copitch - People Voice Media and Kevin Farrell- TPAS Associate The workshop will explore how tenants and residents can use digital tools to add value to their participation and scrutiny work. It will explore ways to increase digital inclusion and engagement in communities “Owl” help you get online! Lesley Bennison – On line Owls Coordinator, Cestria Housing Find out about the Cestria Online Owls project has made a difference to the residents of the Chester le Street area. Discuss the benefits and barriers and learn lessons on how you too can get involved in a similar project. Workshop Session 2 - 1.25pm – 2.35pm Human Library Sam Byrne and Human Library Members – Home Group Meet members of the Home Group Human Library, hear how the scheme can help tackle inequality and discrimination and participate in an interactive life swap session to explore how equality and diversity can be brought to life. Value for Money – as above Involvement Lounge – as above Getting Digi with It - Using digital tools in tenant participation – as above