Social housing sector urged to prioritise mental wellbeing as CIH president launches new resilience toolkit

Housing providers are being urged to make mental wellbeing a strategic priority, not a workplace perk, as Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) president Julie Haydon launches a new resilience toolkit for the sector as part of her presidential campaign.

The Rooted in Resilience toolkit has been designed to help organisations embed mental wellbeing and resilience into everyday practice, from customer-facing roles to leadership – at a time when, the campaign says, the sector faces increasing pressure to do more with less.

The launch comes as housing organisations in England prepare for the introduction of the UK government’s Competence and Conduct Standard in October, which places greater emphasis on professional behaviours, culture and tenant experience, as well as skills and qualifications.

Additionally, CIH’s Futures’ recent Voices of the Future report has highlighted growing concerns around stress and workforce resilience, with two in five housing professionals under 35 reportedly experiencing burnout last year, and more than a third regularly feeling tired, stressed or overwhelmed at work.

Launching during Stress Awareness Month, the Rooted in Resilience toolkit responds to these challenges by providing practical resources to support both individuals and organisations to build resilience and continue to provide high-quality services.

Resources include practical and accessible tools, such as a team culture and resilience checklist, a wellbeing and mental resilience mini-guide, a reflection workbook, and mindfulness activities to support colleagues throughout the working day.

The resources are designed for immediate use by individuals and managers, supporting everything from day-to-day reflection to building safe and supportive team cultures where staff can perform to the best of their ability.

Julie Haydon, CIH president, said: “As a profession dedicated to providing homes and services, we know that housing’s strength does not come from bricks and mortar. It comes from people – our colleagues and our customer – and the resilience and professionalism that sustains them.

“If we want to deliver professional, compassionate services, we must be just as serious about investing in workforce wellbeing, strength and leadership as we are in the upkeep of standards. Building resilience means making wellbeing a strategic priority – creating environments where people feel supported, valued and able to grow. These are not optional extras, they are essential. This toolkit provides practical resources, tips and systems to enhance wellbeing and resilience in teams and personally.”

Gavin Smart, CIH chief executive, said: “The Rooted in Resilience campaign highlights the growing importance of wellbeing across the housing sector. To provide the best possible service to the residents and communities we serve, we must ensure that we and our colleagues feel supported, resilient and equipped to meet the challenges they face.

“This toolkit is about turning the conversation around wellbeing into action – by giving people at every level the tools to build resilience and approach work in a more sustainable way.”

The Rooted in Resilience toolkit forms part of the CIH presidential campaign, bringing together the organisation’s long-standing focus on professional standards, leadership and continuous development.

By encouraging organisations to foster supportive cultures, model resilient leadership and embed growth mindsets, the campaign aims to help future-proof the housing workforce, strengthen services and improve outcomes for residents.

The Rooted in Resilience toolkit is available to download here.

Read more about Julie Haydon’s presidential campaign here.