National Careers Week: Is A Career In Housing For You?
Is A Career In Housing For You?
A question that you may have asked yourself at some point. To celebrate National Careers week, two of our female colleagues have written honest and inspiring accounts of why they joined and how dedication, determination, support and the sheer love of housing has driven them to be where they are today!
Emma Morgan – Area Housing Manager
Having never written a blog before, I thought what better time to start that on International Women’s Day for National Careers Week!
My career in Housing started in 2004, at the age of 24 I was looking to leave my first career in hospitality and came across a job advert in the back of the Evening Post for a Housing Admin role at Family Housing Association. I applied naively thinking “I’ll do this until I figure out what I want to do when I grow up” and here I am, 14 years later, still at Family Housing having progressed to Area Housing Manager. I literally did fall into and in love with housing. What’s not to love? The people, the challenges, the passion, the not knowing what each day will bring…
Family Housing took me under their wing, invested in me as a person and have pushed me to be where I am today and continues to push me to learn and grow every day. This is a story that I hear from many people across the sector.
I may have worked for only one Housing Association but it genuinely feels like two, Family has evolved in the last 3 years – see our CEO’s @KDusgate recent blog about our journey – and the team are evolving with it.
Housing is such a mixture of roles, there is so much variety and choice to develop in. But don’t be mistaken in thinking people in Housing have only worked in Housing straight from university – that’s simply not the case. It wasn’t the case for me and the last 2 appointments we made for Housing Officers were from a Social Work background and a person that ran their own business – both were looking for a career change and both have proven to fly in the roles, hit the ground running bringing in fresh skills and perspectives that have challenged us all. (FYI – Appointing outside of the sector; I don’t think this would have happened if we hadn’t adopted values-based interviews)
For those that are saying “why housing”? ask instead “why not?” A home is a fundamental human right, a good quality home is the centre of a person’s world – if done right, it will positively impact the person’s life in all areas – health, education, wellbeing. What could be better than being a part of that? If you want to be a part of changing lives and communities – come join us in in the Housing sector!
Jay Crouch – Older Person’s Manager
Growing up I learnt, like the game of Tetris, if you try and fit in you disappear! I am proud to say I don’t fit what traditionally was the housing sector, I stand out!
Here’s a little snip into why you should choose The Housing sector…
Health and social care is where it all started, joining FHA as a care and support officer, supervising a Domiciliary care team a brand-new venture for FHA at their Flagship extra care scheme Hazel Court. People asked ‘what do Housing know about care and support services’.
The Answer – what don’t they know!
FHA provides not just homes, but homes for life! matched with quality care and support services. This enables our tenants to remain at home, in their own community for as long as possible. We also provide vibrant communities and opportunities for our tenants.
10 years later I am now the Older Persons Team Manager. I manage two extra care schemes, two floating support services and a special project for Chinese elders.
Family Housing has invested in me, they understand my quirky ways and my passion. They have supported my voluntary work as Ambassador for Dementia UK and my drive to make things easier for people living with Dementia and their families.
I am privileged to be surrounded by inspirational colleagues, managers and leaders. Thank you, Family Housing.