News

At the start of July, we were delighted to host our very first Culture Day, celebrating the diversity of cultures across our colleague and resident community.  

The day was filled with stories, food and music, creating a welcoming space for people to share a little about who they are and the traditions that are important to them. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the many cultures, backgrounds and perspectives that make up our organisation, while bringing people together to learn from one another and embrace the  differences that strengthens our community.  

Colleagues and residents who took part were encouraged to wear traditional cultural dress, and it was  great  to see so many people proudly showcasing their heritage. From beautifully handmade outfits to vibrant traditional clothing, the day was full of colour and pride.  

Throughout the event, colleagues shared insights into Islam, South African heritage and Nigerian traditions. We also enjoyed cultural ornaments and displays from Zimbabwe, alongside a talk from our local pastor about Afro-Caribbean culture. These conversations sparked curiosity, encouraged understanding and highlighted the unique experiences and traditions within our community.  

John Wallbank, Assistant Director of People at  Fairhive  added, “I am proud of what we have achieved so far at Fairhive and excited to continue building a culture where people feel welcome, safe and respected. Over the last few years, we've supported the growth of several employee-led groups, creating spaces to share experiences, challenge our thinking and help shape the culture we want to build together. Those groups are already influencing how we work, and our first Culture Day is a great example of what's possible when employees are empowered to lead”.  

One of our residents who attended and has been a  long standing  member of the group and was involved in organising the day, mentioned, "Fairhive's Culture Day was a joy to be involved in as part of the Anti-Racism Group. This time, it was just for Fairhive staff; we are hoping to plan another one for next year and invite residents too."  

The event was organised by our Anti-Racism Group, which was  established in late 2024 as part of our commitment to the Social Housing Anti-Racism Pledge (SHARP). Developed by BME London Landlords, SHARP provides a framework for housing providers to take meaningful action against racism and create more inclusive organisations.  

In September 2025, we were proud to achieve SHARP Level 1 accreditation, thanks to the dedication of our Anti-Racism Group, a passionate team of colleagues and residents working together to ensure that racism has no place in our organisation or our communities.  

Our first Culture Day was a wonderful success, and we would like to thank everyone who took part, shared their stories and helped create such an inclusive and inspiring event.