Highlighting the strength and resilience of women this International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day (8 March), we’re celebrating the achievements of women who advocate for their communities and drive meaningful change.
As a long-term tenant and a dedicated involved customer for the past three and a half years, Enise Goring-Piskin has been a passionate advocate for tenants' rights, community engagement, and inclusivity. Her tireless efforts to ensure tenants’ voices are heard, alongside her impactful community work, align perfectly with this year’s International Women’s Day theme: #AccelerateAction.
Enise's journey into tenant representation began with her six-year tenure as a school governor.
She said: “I wanted to use that experience to benefit more people. In a school, you can help 250 children, but at Wrekin, I realised I could reach so many more.”
With 19 years of experience as a tenant, she felt she understood the challenges many residents faced, particularly single mothers.
“As a single mother for 17 years, I knew what it was like to need secure accommodation. There was a stigma around single mothers, as if we’ d brought it on ourselves, but we’re just doing our best. Having a stable home at a time when you feel isolated is incredibly important.”
Beyond advocating for single mothers, Enise saw a need to represent Muslim and other minority tenants, particularly those who struggle because of language barriers.
“I didn’t know how many Muslim tenants we had at Wrekin, but I knew they needed a voice,” she says. “Many don’t speak English fluently, and I felt I could help bridge that gap.”
One of the key projects Enise has worked on during her time as an involved customer is helping to raise awareness of our tenant support services. “When I first needed help with budgeting, I wasn’t really aware of the support available. Now, we have helped to promote the Money Matters service which provides vital advice, from budgeting weekly instead of monthly to ensuring people get the benefits, grants and offers they’re entitled to.”
She has also witnessed Wrekin strengthening ties with community groups, including faith centres: “I’ve seen Wrekin engage more with mosques and donate resources to charities. Community involvement has grown, and even things like litter picking initiatives have increased.”
Beyond her role as an involved customer, Enise is deeply involved in grassroots community work. She runs a weekly wellbeing class at her mosque, called Afiya, which focuses on mental health, physical activity, and spiritual wellbeing. She also works with STUWA (Shropshire and Telford United Women’s Association), a group that supports women of all faiths through coffee mornings, fundraising, and community events.
“We have put together Eid gift boxes for refugees, provided meals for those in need, and bring women from different backgrounds together. It’s about fostering connections and providing support where it’s needed most.”
Enise would like to see greater diversity in representation and services: “We have a good range of people, but I’d love to see more young people involved, maybe a young parent,” she suggests.
She’s also passionate about breaking barriers in employment: “There’s a real lack of women in trade roles. Some religious women don’t feel comfortable having a man in their home when they’re alone, so we need to encourage more women into these professions. Childcare and flexible hours need to be considered more, too.”
Enise’s journey has been one of strength and transformation. From working as a marketing consultant to travelling the world in search of spiritual fulfilment, she eventually found Islam and built a life dedicated to serving others.
She said: “Women shouldn’t be afraid to say, ‘that’s not working for me. I want to do something different."
“We need to have a plentiful mindset, to realise that we have so many possibilities. It’s hard when you’re facing day-to-day struggles, but you don’t have to live the same year over and over. Sometimes, people just need someone to inspire them.”
7th March 2025