星空传媒

So, golf is the latest networking opportunity for housing officers, as a City tradition is extended to grateful housing associations eager to make contacts ("Got the right club?", 29 August, page 22)?

Over the 15 or more years that I have worked in housing, I have met a huge range of housing people (social housing staff, board members, tenants, lenders and contractors) in different types of organisation at training courses, workshops and conferences. I have made valuable contacts and learned from others' experiences, both during the event and in the pub afterwards. It's all too easy to take a swipe at conferences but at least at these events you come away with ideas on improving services, as well as new contacts.

Most people who decide to work in housing do so because they are committed. We like improving our knowledge, finding out how we can provide better services and tackle problems. We like talking shop and comparing notes at housing events. Unlike children at a party, we do not need organised games to get us to talk to each other.

I am most perturbed that the pictures accompanying your article, spread over several pages, do not reflect the ethnic, age, gender or ability breakdown in my own office, let alone the breakdown of our tenants, whose community we are supposed to reflect. As far as I can tell, the participants are white, middle-aged, able-bodied males who are familiar with the game. Does this show tacit approval of housing becoming more exclusive and divisive by what is supposed to be our socially responsible, inclusive magazine that actually knows what working in the housing sector is like?

Events such as organised games, regardless of how good they are for making contacts and how enjoyable they are for the participants, bring no other tangible benefits. I am sure tenants would prefer we spent their rent on improving employees' skills and knowledge rather than their golf swing while they make contacts.