The organisation’s summer event, Home, Caring and Community: Personal Stories and Practical Action, was held on May 28 at Hanover Housing Association in Edinburgh.

Attendees heard from four great speakers at the event, sponsored by Altro Ltd, and had the chance to network, share learning and open conversation.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room after the first two speakers, Sarah Kennedy and Tetiana Lukianenko, shared their powerful lived experiences.

Sarah, a writer and housing professional based in Orkney, shared with great honesty her personal experiences of leaving her career to care for both parents following dementia diagnoses and the identity loss she felt.

Originally from Kyiv, Tetiana shared with huge bravery her experience of fleeing the war in Ukraine with her four-week-old son to build a new life in Scotland. She explored what it means to find home and community after displacement.

Sarah and Tetiana’s reflections on the very different challenges they have faced connected with and moved everyone in the room.

Nicole Main, housing services manager at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “I had a fantastic afternoon at the WISH Scotland event!

“Such inspiring speakers, who showed true resilience and strength to cope with the experiences they have been through.”

The event was closed by Catherine Louch, vice chair of WISH Scotland and director of housing, and Abbey Kivlin, property services administrative officer, both from Prospect Community Housing.

They shared practical insights on partnership working, tenancy sustainment and supporting the Ukrainian resettlement project in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh. They also shared the innovative work they have been doing to strengthen bonds in the local community, including their award-winning community cleanups.

Speaker Sarah Kennedy said: “It was a privilege to be at the event, and it was emotional to see all the women in the room coming together and supporting one another. It was incredible to hear from Tetiana, and I really enjoyed hearing from Catherine and Abbey on the innovative work they are doing at Prospect Community Housing.”

Kirsty Wells, chair of WISH Scotland, said: “Thank you to our fantastic speakers who were so inspirational and gave us a lot to reflect on both personally and professionally. At WISH Scotland, it is a privilege to host events and speakers that are unique and provide key learnings for our delegates to take back to their day jobs. Women learning and sharing with each other is a powerful experience.

“It was great to welcome new faces alongside familiar ones to our event - thank you to everyone who joined us and to Altro Ltd for their sponsorship. There are so many benefits of being part of our supportive, inspiring network at WISH Scotland, so if you’re not yet a member, this is a great time to join.

“Make sure to save the date for our next event sponsored by McTaggart Construction on 17 September at Wheatley Housing in Glasgow to mark our fourth birthday, it’s going to be a fantastic day so watch this space for more details.”