Exchanging knowledge with South Africa

Staff from housing association group Isos are taking part in an exciting new exchange programme with a housing company in South Africa.

Thousands of England football fans will be flying south for the summer in June, but Isos is getting ahead of the game with the exchange taking place in February and May.

First, two members of staff from the Johannesburg Housing Company will spend two weeks in the North East, then two members of the Isos team will make the return journey in May.

The two companies have agreed to work together as they believe their staff can learn a lot from people doing the same job on another continent, and in another culture.

Steven Dube and Fathima Goolam Hoosen are arriving at Newcastle Airport on Monday, February 22nd and will be following a 10 day programme of activities to learn about Isos and social housing in the UK - as well as enjoying the sights of the North East. They will finish their trip with a few days in London.

Then in May, Simon Rycroft and Garry Scurfield from Isos will be heading out to Johannesburg.

Garry said: "I'm excited by the opportunity to go to South Africa, to see the country and meet the people.

"I hope Simon and I can forge a close working relationship with the team at JHC during our visit and create further opportunities for the exchange in the future."

Garry, who works in tenancy enforcement for Isos Group member Castle Morpeth Housing, said he was particularly interested in how JHC staff work with their tenants to maintain high standards.

He said: "They seem to be focused on creating areas which are secure and safe environments for families. I'm looking forward to seeing it all in person."
Simon, a member of the Isos development team, said: "I'm looking forward to seeing a similar organisation to ours, but operating in a completely different environment.
"The contrast between our working environments will be fascinating - we will see slum clean-ups, building upgrades, refurbishments and conversions, as well as new build projects, which will give a completely different meaning to the word regeneration.
"Garry and I are taking part in a pioneering trip for Isos, laying the foundations for what we hope will be a long term relationship."
Graham Brown, group business director of Isos, said the exchange with the JHC was a great opportunity for both organizations.

He said: "We are creating a mind broadening experience and a huge learning opportunity for our staff and for theirs.

"Isos is committed to developing its staff, and taking every opportunity to improve the services we provide to our tenants. I'm sure we can learn a lot from Stephen and Fatima's visit, and Garry and Simon will also be able to pass on what they learn to our staff when they return home."

All costs of the exchange are being shared with the Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC). Each company pays for its own staff's flights, and to accommodate the exchange partners while they are away from home.

For more information on the Johannesburg Housing Company visit their website at www.jhc.co.za