Marking 100 years of social housing for proud city residents through the power of collaboration

When customers said they wanted to celebrate their city’s centenary, we knew we wanted to create something truly special – something that celebrated not only Stoke-on-Trent’s rich history, but also the pride, stories and achievements of its residents.

We also knew the best way to mark this milestone was by coming together as the city’s housing providers, working in partnership to shine a light on the people who make this city what it is. That’s why we created a short film, highlighting 100 years of social housing and the community at its heart.

The film blends archive footage with contemporary interviews, but most importantly it brings to life the true heart of social housing – it’s residents. Real stories of local people who have made Stoke-on-Trent their home – people whose voices are too often unheard. Through their experiences, the film shows what social housing truly means: safety, belonging, dignity and the opportunity to thrive.

Two of those voices are Axel and Ivy, Honeycomb Group customers whose stories capture both the challenges people face and the life-changing impact that the right home, at the right time, can have.

Axel bravely shared their journey as a young, non-binary person struggling with their mental health. When Axel had to leave their family and home and move into a local housing project, it wasn’t the right fit. They felt unable to be themselves – unsafe, insecure and disconnected. Like so many people, Axel never imagined they would experience homelessness, and yet found themselves asking a question no one should have to: ‘where am I going to go?’

Everything changed when Axel was offered a place at Phoenix House, Honeycomb’s dedicated LGBTQ+ service for people experiencing homelessness. That phone call – being told there was a place for them – marked a turning point. At Phoenix House, Axel felt safe, secure and accepted for who they are. As Axel describes in the film, it felt like a weight had been lifted from their shoulders and they could finally just be ‘me.’ Today, Axel lives independently, studies video game production at university and feels confident about the future. Their story is a powerful reminder that people do not choose homelessness – but with the right support, they can rebuild their lives.

Meanwhile for Ivy, her story speaks to another important part of social housing: later life, care and community. Ivy lives in one of Honeycomb’s over-55s villages in Stoke-on-Trent. A matriarch of her family, Ivy’s life changed after she suffered a stroke and became bedridden. Moving into a residential setting was a big step, but one that brought reassurance, healing and renewed independence, for her and her family.

Ivy describes her village as ‘a beautiful community with friendly people who are very caring.’ Used to being busy and active, she can now socialise safely, meet others and feel comfortable and supported. Her son describes the move as a new lease of life – not just for Ivy, but for the whole family, who feel reassured knowing she is happy and cared for.

For me, what makes this film particularly special is not only the stories it tells, but how those stories came to be shared. In recent years, we have worked hard in Stoke-on-Trent to do things differently. Through our locally established Registered Provider (RP) Forum, housing providers, support organisations and the city council have come together to share insight, align priorities and make sure customers’ voices sit at the heart of everything we do.

For me, what makes this film particularly special is that it starts and ends with residents. Every story shared in the film belongs to someone who calls Stoke-on-Trent home, and our role as housing providers is simply to listen, support and create the conditions where those voices can be heard. Residents should be at the heart of everything we do, and this project is a reflection of that belief in action.

In recent years, we have worked hard in Stoke-on-Trent to do things differently. Through the RP Forum, housing providers, support organisations and the city council have come together with a shared commitment to put customers first – aligning on priorities, sharing insight and working collectively so that resident experiences shape our decisions, not the other way around.

The film was delivered collaboratively by Honeycomb Group, EPIC Housing, Brighter Futures and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. That collaboration mattered because it allowed residents’ stories to take centre stage - told with authenticity, respect and pride – and ensured that people like Axel and Ivy were not just featured, but truly heard.

Across the country, demand for affordable homes and support services continues to rise while resources remain stretched. In that context, place-based partnerships like ours are more important than ever. By working collaboratively, we can strengthen local housing systems, make better use of our shared knowledge, and deliver better outcomes for customers – a priority we all share.

In our city, collaboration isn’t a buzzword – it’s how we operate. Social housing was built on the foundations of community, and its future depends on us continuing to work side by side with customers and partners alike. This film celebrates that legacy – and the people at the heart of it – while reminding us what’s possible when we come together with a shared pride in our city.

The full film is available to watch on YouTube, and I would encourage anyone with an interest in social housing and partnership working to take a look.

Learn more about Honeycomb Group by visiting www.honeycombgroup.org.uk.