Working together to improve services for customers through UK HIVE
At Gateway, we're always looking for new ways to improve the services we provide and ensure we're meeting the changing needs of our customers.
That's why we're proud to be a Founding Partner of UK HIVE. A group of housing associations across the UK that get together to share knowledge, tackle common challenges and develop practical solutions for the future.
At our latest HACT UK Hive meeting, our colleagues Usman and David talked about some of the biggest issues facing housing today, including digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), recruitment and skills development.
Why does this matter to customers?
Many housing associations face similar challenges. By working together, we can learn from each other's experiences, avoid doing the same work and sharing ideas to get better solutions, quicker.
For customers, this means housing providers can focus on:
- Improving services through innovation
- Making the most of technology
- Making better use of data to understand customer needs
- Sharing best practice across the sector
- Developing skilled teams
- Responding to future challenges more effectively.
Collaboration also helps us identify what is working well elsewhere and explore whether similar approaches could benefit Gateway customers.
Using technology responsibly
One of the UK's fastest-growing areas of discussion is the use of AI and digital tools.
Gateway's Head of Data and Technology, Usman, is involved in UK HIVE's Digital Tools and AI workstream. This is all about how housing organisations can adopt technology safely and responsibly.
The group is focusing on:
- Sharing examples of successful digital tools and AI projects
- Developing guidance and standards to support safe and responsible AI adoption
- Understanding how customers are already using AI
- Improving digital and technology skills across the sector
- Importantly, discussions also focused on keeping people remain at the heart of decision-making.
While technology can help us make things quicker, it should support human decision-making rather than replace it.
Learning from others
A key benefit of UK HIVE is the opportunity to learn from experts who work in and outside the housing sector.
During the workshop, partners shared insights on:
- Finding the best people for jobs in housing, and keeping them in their roles
- Data protection
- Regulatory around technology and AI.
These conversations help ensure that Gateway stays informed about emerging trends and opportunities that could help us continue delivering excellent services to customers.
Looking ahead
UK HIVE is focused on turning ideas into action. Over the coming months, partners will work together to deliver practical projects and share learning across the sector.
By contributing to these discussions and collaborations, Gateway is helping shape solutions that could benefit not only our organisation, but the wider social housing sector and the customers we serve. We'll keep sharing updates from our UK HIVE work.
Gateway is a Founding Partner of UK HIVE, a collaborative initiative led by HACT that brings together housing organisations to share expertise, tackle common challenges and develop innovative solutions for the future of social housing.
