If I Had One WISH Live Podcast First in Manchester

WISH is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated third podcast “If I had One Wish” series!

And in a WISH first, our podcast was recorded LIVE at Housing 2025 Manchester, in real time from the event floor! Hosted by Crystal Hicks and Helen Scott, this live episode featured guest Tracy Harrison, CEO at the Northern Housing Consortium, where we explored all things housing leadership and culture, and of course asked our famous question 'If you had one WISH…?’

This moving series features four inspirational women in the housing sector who share their insights, challenges, and remarkable career journeys:

Vicki Fox (policy and participation manager at Cyrenians and a trustee of Crisis and St. Martin's), shares her personal journey through homelessness, her professional experiences in the sector, and her insights on the current state of homelessness in Scotland.

The conversation highlights the importance of lived experience in shaping policies, the need for collaboration between housing and homelessness sectors, and the critical role of prevention in addressing homelessness. Listen here.

Gera Patel (Partner, Campbell Tickell) is a seasoned professional in the social housing sector. Gera shares her journey into social housing, the challenges faced by women in leadership roles, and the importance of recruitment in finding change agents within the sector.

The conversation also touches on the significance of equity, diversity, and inclusion in social housing, and concludes with Gera's wishes for the future of the sector, emphasising the need for women to seize opportunities and for the sector to reflect on its leadership representation. Listen here.

Grainia Long (CEO, Northern Ireland Housing Executive), discusses her journey into social housing, the challenges faced in the sector, and the importance of child protection.

Grainia shares insights on the current state of homelessness in Northern Ireland, the need for community building, and her optimistic vision for the future of social housing as a vital infrastructure.

The conversation emphasises the interconnectedness of housing, social issues, and the necessity for ongoing collaboration and learning within the sector. Listen here.

Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani (Bishop of Chelmsford) shares her inspiring journey from being a refugee from Iran to becoming a prominent leader in the Church of England.

The discussion delves into the pressing housing crisis in the UK, the implications of the Coming Home Report, and the Church's role in addressing these challenges. Bishop Guli emphasises the importance of community, collaboration, and a long-term strategy to tackle housing issues, while also sharing her experiences in the House of Lords and her vision for the future of housing in the UK. Listen here.

Tracey Harrison (CEO, Northern Housing Consortium), live from Manchester, discussed the current state and future of housing in the North.

In the recording, we look at the importance of regeneration, the need for a positive workplace culture, and the role of female leadership in driving change. The conversation emphasises collaboration among housing organisations and the necessity of innovative strategies to ensure equitable housing solutions for all. Listen here, or watch the live Manchester podcast recording here!

Whether you are a WISH member, housing professional, or aspiring leader, this podcast series offers a wealth of inspiration, expertise, and connection.

The entire three series of WISH’s podcast; ‘If I had one Wish’ is available now, with episodes exploring the vision, experiences and leadership of the amazing female trailblazers working across the sector to drive meaningful change.

Listen now: Spotify | Apple | Amazon | RSS | YouTube