Member event- Participation: past to present

Come together with your membership community

Wednesday 29 April
 10:30am – 12pm
Online via Zoom
Free event for members

 

This online session explores the historical roots of tenant participation through the development of community action in Scotland. Drawing on community development history, social movements, and policy change, it traces how tenant participation emerged from grassroots organising, how it evolved over time, and why its history remains highly relevant for housing practice today. 

The session will look at early forms of collective organisation, the impact of key social and political shifts, and the role of community development principles such as empowerment, inclusion, and capacity building. It will also consider how tenant participation has evolved from locally based campaigning work through to the development of tenant participation principles and the introduction of a statutory right for tenants. Along the way it has become more formalised and professionalised. The session will provide an opportunity to explore what has been gained, and potentially lost, along the way. 

By grounding tenant participation in its wider social and community context, the session offers housing professionals and tenants an opportunity to reflect on current practice and think critically about how meaningful participation can be strengthened today. 

A similar session was delivered at Connected for Change 2026. This online session revisits and expands on those themes, offering a chance to engage with the content in more depth or to hear it for the first time. 

The presentation will be followed by time for questions and discussion at the end. 

Click here to book your place

This event is free to attend and included as part of your TIS membership.

To book your place please complete the online booking form, or alternatively email info@tis.org.uk or call 0141 248 1242.

 Sharon Donohoe – Interim CEO at TIS

Sharon Donohoe brings over 35 years of experience working within the public, social rented, and third sectors. She is passionate about working in partnership with tenants, communities, and housing organisations to drive meaningful change for the diverse and flourishing communities throughout Scotland. 

Sharon has extensive housing policy, legislation, and regulatory framework knowledge and works closely with the Scottish Government, to shape national housing consultations surrounding tenant participation and tenants’ rights.  

She delivers advice, training, and support at a local and national level to ensure tenants and communities are involved and their voices are heard, and also has experience of working with young people, families, and homeless people in Scotland, New Zealand, and America. 

This event is aimed at tenants and housing professionals from across the TIS membership community.

Please review the TIS Events and Conferencing Terms and Conditions carefully before booking your place.

Making a booking request for a TIS event constitutes your acceptance of these terms and your agreement to comply with them. These terms tell you how event bookings can be made, changed and cancelled, and other important information.

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