Harvest Housing Group has launched a new equality and diversity handbook in conjunction with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES).

The CLES handbook will act as a guide for all Harvest Housing Group members across the North West to help provide tailored advice towards hard to reach groups for each area.

Kim Penfold Group Director – Business Development & Strategy, speaking at the official trade launch of the handbook at Manchester Town Hall said:

“We recognise that in each area we operate across the North West there are differing needs and issues. The CLES handbook is designed to recognise this variety and offer the corresponding information.”

The handbook looks at tenant categories such as the homeless, ex-offenders, recovering addicts, lone parents, those with disabilities, ethnic minorities, young people and the elderly, profiling each group and the steps necessary to engage with them and offer support.

He added,

“The handbook is a great help to our staff recognising that other housing associations face similar issues we are making it available to our colleagues across the region.”

Delegates in attendance at the official launch included those from other housing associations, local councils and charities.

Harvest Housing Group’s Kim Penfold and Kate Forrester, Director - Manchester & District Housing Association were the keynote speakers along with Atiha Chaudry, Director of Equal Access Consultancy.

For an electronic copy of the handbook please contact Vicki Heyes on 0161 248 2321 or at Vicki.heyes@harvesthousing.org.uk