Nation partners with TIACS to support residents

At Nation, living experience is considered as more than the apartment itself. It’s shaped by how people feel in the building, the support around them, and the systems that underpin daily life.

That perspective has informed a new partnership with TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter), a free and confidential mental health support service now being introduced across Nation communities.

Founded by Dan Allen and Ed Ross, TIACS provides direct access to qualified mental health professionals, with no referrals and no cost. Residents can call or text and speak to someone who understands the pressures of everyday life, without needing to navigate complex or time-consuming pathways.

Starting conversations earlier

The partnership is grounded in a simple principle: support should be accessible earlier, and in a way that feels natural within everyday life.

TIACS Head of Partnerships and Impact, Ash Newth, said the focus is on creating opportunities for people to engage before challenges escalate.

“Where you live isn’t just about the apartment. It’s about how you feel in that space, day to day. And sometimes what people need isn’t more amenity, it’s someone to talk to.”

Embedding access within the community removes friction and creates a more immediate pathway to support, making it easier for residents to reach out when it matters.

Removing barriers to support

Traditional mental health pathways can be difficult to access, often requiring referrals, time and cost commitments that delay engagement.

TIACS has been designed to remove those barriers, offering direct, free access to qualified professionals via phone or text, without waiting lists or formal entry points.

This model reflects a broader shift towards accessibility and immediacy, aligning with how people increasingly seek support in practice.

A resident-led view of experience

For Nation, the partnership reflects a broader approach to how living experience is defined and delivered across its portfolio.

Nation Head of Leasing, Sally Picot, said resident insight continues to shape how services and partnerships are introduced.

“We’re seeing a growing expectation from residents that living experience extends beyond the physical space. It’s about feeling supported, connected and able to access what you need, when you need it.”

This perspective informs a more integrated approach, where operational decisions are guided not only by design, but by how buildings function and support people over time.

Bringing it to life at Nation Merrylands

The partnership is being launched at Nation Merrylands, the launch is delivered through a Mason & Main After Hours event on Wednesday 6 May, from 6pm to 8pm, bringing residents, teams and industry partners together in a setting designed to make the conversation easier to start.

The TIACS team will be there on the night, alongside a series of free activities, including games, live music, a sausage sizzle and a hi-vis swap shop in partnership with TradeMutt.

The format is deliberately simple. By creating a relaxed, familiar environment, the focus shifts to what matters: removing barriers, encouraging connection, and opening the door for conversations that might not otherwise happen.

A broader approach to living experience

As build-to-rent continues to evolve, the definition of living experience is expanding.  It is no longer defined solely by the quality of the apartment or shared amenity, but by how well a building supports the people who live within it.

Partnerships like this reflect that shift, embedding support into the everyday experience of living, and reinforcing a more considered, long-term approach to how residential communities are designed and operated.