May 04, 2010
Cultural Exchange Visit from Ghana
There’s no such thing as social housing in Ghana, which is why a group of eight Ghanaian social work, community work and youth work professionals spent time with Plymouth Community Homes staff this week.
The group are in Plymouth for a Cultural Exchange Project organised by the British Council and Voluntary Service Oversees. This return visit follows a trip to Ghana in January that included Agnes Coiffi, a Development Worker from Plymfed, the local independent tenants federation supported by Plymouth Community Homes.
After a tour that included talks with Plymouth Community Homes staff, Plymouth Access to Housing (PATH) and visits to different housing offices, Conrad Balig, Agnes’ counterpart in Ghana said “We were so impressed how the community is given a voice when it comes to making the big decisions and how the vulnerable are supported when it comes to matters around housing”.
Ryan Huws, Resident Involvement Team with Plymouth Community Homes said:
“It was great that we found time to welcome visitors from another country. It’s always good to have an opportunity to learn from each other”.
Clive Turner, Chief Executive of Plymouth Community Homes added: “Here in Plymouth we’re about more than bricks and mortar. This visit from our Ghanaian colleagues has highlighted how important homes are in building communities whether across the world or around the corner. I’m sure we can go on learning from each other.”
