Conference Programme
We have a busy event planned with an exciting agenda! We’re still firming up a few things but this should help you start planning. Read more about all our speakers here.
The All Ireland Tenant Engagement Conference
6-7 October 2025
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast
Thank you to cHoice Housing for being our Headline sponsor!
Day 1 - October 6th
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Registration
Plenty of time to arrive, register, chat with colleagues, and explore our exhibitor stands! Tea, coffee and scones will be served.
11:00 am - 11:20 am
Welcome and Conference Opening Remarks
Supporting Communities and others will set the scene for our event, posing the question, “Is there really a seat at the table for tenants?”
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
To be confirmed
TBC
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Young Voices are the Future! Are we listening to them now?
Marty Kelly and two young people (to be announced) from the NI Youth Forum will explore the importance of involving young people in housing decisions and the work that goes into achieving this. The Youth Forum supports and empowers young people to participate through partnerships with the Housing Executive and others.
We’ll meet some young people who got a seat at the table. Find out if they think it’s a ‘real’ one!
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Q&A Session
Your chance to get involved and ask our morning speakers your questions.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch Break
Sponsored by the Housing Executive
Breakout Sessions: Innovation in Tenant Participation
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Each session will be repeated twice, so you can choose two sessions to attend during this time.
Switch rooms at 2:45pm
Participatory Budgeting - Ark Housing
Kelly Foster delivers a session on Ark’s use of Participatory Budgeting to support their tenant engagement work. Find out what ‘PB’ is, how Ark is implementing it, and why Kelly says it has led to tenants having a stronger sense of ownership in their community.
NIYF Workshop – Marty Kelly
If you were intrigued by the morning presentation, join Marty and the NI Youth Forum for more. Let’s dive into the practicalities of involving young people in your tenant engagement work.
Creating A New ASB Policy with Your Tenants
Hear from three approved housing bodies who worked together and with their tenant to address anti-social behaviour in their communities. Find out what’s working for the folks at Circle, Clanmil, and Apex!
Affordable Warmth & Retrofit: The Innovation Social Housing Needs Right Now - TPAS Cymru
David Wilton and TPAS Cymru have been working to reduce fuel poverty, lift people out of damp and mouldy conditions, and make communities more sustainable. Their work to date has yielded some great outcomes, as well as some challenges. One thing is certain: innovative tenant engagement is needed.
In this special session, David will guide you through some of what he has learned and what tenants are saying. He says this session is suitable ‘whether you are a NetZero hero or an unconvinced sceptic!’
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Including Diverse Voices - Short Presentations and Panel Discussion
When it comes to having a seat at the table, we must consider who is usually heard and who is left out. This panel session features tenants and staff from various groups who are often unrepresented, discussing how we can be more inclusive. Panel members to be confirmed.
6:15 pm -
not too late!
It’s a school night ;-)
Evening Event and Tenant Engagement Awards
For delegates with a full conference ticket, we are putting on a bit of an evening do!
We’ll be back in the main hall for a drinks reception at 6:15, followed by dinner and the presentation of four special awards for outstanding achievements in tenant participation. Comedian Emer Maguire will be our hilarious compere for the evening!
Check out the awards and nomination process and submit your nominees by 29 August!
Evening event sponsored by Oaklee Housing
Emer Maguire
Day 2 - October 7th
9:15 am
Welcome to Day 2!
Keynote Address: Is There a Seat at the Table: Ethnic Minority Voices in Tenant Engagement
Kai Jackson joins us to dig deep into her findings from a national report she researched and authored for TPAS England. Learn about the T.A.B.L.E. principles she has developed to help housing providers reach tenants from ethnic minorities.
We’ve left time for questions, so don’t be shy!
9:30 am - 10:30 am
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Panel Discussion: What Makes a Good Scrutiny Exercise?
Scrutiny is core to tenant engagement. It is a process where tenants, as representatives of their community, investigate and review specific services or policies provided by their landlord to identify areas for improvement and ensure accountability. This involves examining performance data, gathering tenant feedback, and making recommendations for service enhancements. How can we ensure we are getting it right?
Panellists will include:
Lesa Kelly, Radius Housing
Dean Kelly, Radius tenant
Keith McCann, South Regional Housing Forum (NIHE)
Sarah Reidy & Tenant TBA, Cooperative Housing
Kai Jackson, Black Country Housing Group tenant
Elisha Mullan, Clanmil tenant
11:15 am - 11:30 am
Tea/Coffee Break
Breakout Sessions
11:30 am - 1:05 pm
Each session will be repeated twice, so you can choose two sessions to attend during this time.
Switch rooms at 12:15 pm
Social Impact Measurement Framework: A New Toolkit from Cluid, Circle, and Respond
Clúid, Circle, and Respond, three major Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in Ireland, have collaborated to develop a Social Impact Measurement Framework. This framework, developed in collaboration with Just Economics, aims to systematically demonstrate the outcomes and impact of AHBs on tenants and communities. The framework is designed to be used by the wider AHB sector to build a robust evidence base and inform future housing policy.
Tenant Voice in Adaptations - Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Roisin O’Neill, Karina Murray, and others from the Adaptations Working Group share an unusual success story about tenants collaborating with departments that have never been customer-facing before. It wasn’t always plain sailing! Find out how they made it work.
NIHE’s Decarb Journey – ‘Engage Educate Empower’ - Paul Isherwood
Paul gives insight into the NIHE’s new training for tenants which was co designed with members of the Central Housing Forum. He says, ‘ you must decarb the tenant before you can decarb the home!” Come along to find out what that means!
Preventing Burnout – Take time to manage your mental health with Alan McDowell, Portadown Wellness Centre
Alan founded the Centre following his own personal experience of mental illness and the recovery process. His passion is to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental ill health in Northern Ireland. It is his belief that everybody experiencing emotional issues can make a positive and effective recovery with the right help and support. Join him for an inspiring session that will resonate with all.
Lunch Break
1:10 pm – 2:10 pm
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
Tenants get the last word! Personal stories and group discussion
Delegates at our previous conference requested even more personal stories from involved residents, so we’re ensuring tenants have the final word at this year's conference!
Hear from a diverse group of folks who have made it their business to get involved and have a say. Do they feel they have a real seat at the table? Let’s ask!
