WISH London: Creating Space to Learn, Adapt and Support

There is something timely about this season’s theme: Rewilding - learning to embrace the path unknown. For many working across the built environment, the path ahead can feel anything but fixed. The context is shifting, pressures are real, and certainty is in short supply. Against that backdrop, the role of professional networks like WISH matters even more - creating space to learn, adapt and support one another.

That is what recent months have felt like for WISH London - not simply a calendar of events, but a series of moments where members have come together to exchange ideas, widen perspectives and strengthen the relationships that help us navigate change.

Sangeeta Fitzpatrick, Board member – reported on the book launch of Our Later Years:

“It was an honour to attend the book launch for Our Later Years: Shared Wisdom on Ageing Powerfully Together by the women of New Ground in High Barnet.

New Ground is Britain's first all-female Co-Housing community for older women – an inspiring example of what can be achieved through determination, vision, and collective action. The book tells the remarkable story of 26 women who came together to create this pioneering community, redefining what later life can look like.

The evening was made even more memorable by an incredibly moving talk from one of the residents, an Iranian, whose story of resilience, courage, and hope brought many of us to tears.

I left feeling inspired by the power of community, friendship, and the belief that ageing can be a time of purpose, connection, and possibility.

If you're looking for an uplifting and thought-provoking read, I highly recommend Our Later Years: Shared Wisdom on Ageing Powerfully Together (Bloomsbury, £18.99).”

In Brighton, our latest networking event brought members together in exactly that spirit - open, welcoming and full of conversation. The value of these spaces is easy to underestimate, but they matter. When people come together across organisations and disciplines, they bring different experiences, different questions and different ways of seeing the same challenges. That is often where fresh thinking begins.

Our WISH London NetWalk in May, exploring the history of social housing across Islington, offered another kind of perspective. By stepping out of the usual format and into the city itself, the event created room for reflection as well as connection. Looking back at the social and architectural history of housing reminded us that our sector has always evolved through change - and that progress is rarely linear. Sometimes, the best way to think about what comes next is to walk through what came before.

That same openness to new perspectives was evident at UKREiiF 2026, where members of the WISH London board were out in force, representing the network and connecting with peers from across the built environment. As one of the sector’s biggest meeting points, UKREiiF offers the chance not only to raise the profile of WISH on a national stage, but to listen, test ideas and bring back learning from the wider conversation shaping leadership, housing, regeneration and infrastructure.

Closer to home, our recent breakfast session created a more intimate setting to explore leadership, careers and connection. These smaller gatherings can be just as powerful. They create space for honest conversations that help people build confidence, gain perspective and find momentum - particularly at times when the route ahead feels less straightforward.

We’ve also stayed closely connected to the wider sector through the National Housing Federation conference and related events, ensuring we continue to learn from, and contribute to, the wider conversation.

Alongside this programme of activity, we are delighted to share some important updates from the WISH London board. We are pleased to announce the appointment of Frances Young and Anneka Gill as joint Co-Chairs of WISH London. Both have already made a significant contribution to the network, bringing energy, insight and a clear commitment to its values. Their appointment marks an exciting next chapter for WISH London.

We are also proud to celebrate Anneka Gill, who has been named WISH London Regional Board Member of the Year 2026, at the April Awards. Anneka’s contribution reflects the very best of WISH: generosity, drive, collaboration and a willingness to go above and beyond. It is thoroughly deserved recognition.

What stands out across all of these activities is the strength of the WISH community. Whether it’s meeting someone new, reconnecting with familiar faces or sharing experiences with peers, these moments all play a part in helping us grow, both individually and collectively.

There is plenty more to come from WISH London this year, and we look forward to welcoming many more new members along the way.

To find out more about our regional events visit our regional events page.