The October 2013 meeting of the NHMF Committee incorporated the NHMF Study Tour which was open to property services directors and asset managers. We went to Jersey on Thursday 17 to Friday 18 October 2013 where we saw the work done by The States of Jersey Housing Department and other housing providers on the island. Social Housing provision on Jersey was in a period of transformation which began in March 2013. Delegates heard about the challenges of that journey and were encouraged to share their experience from the mainland. In addition we discusse how to overcome barriers to working with SMEs, delivering social value and making services available online.

In the years previous to Jersey we visited Liverpool, Belfast, Eire and Amsterdam. The exchange of knowledge and ideas that takes place on these short, focused visits is invaluable. There is no substitute for seeing a project at first hand and discussing both the, original concepts with the project leaders, and the actual outcomes with the onsite operational team.