I started at YMCA Worcestershire in the summer of 2023. Having been made redundant from a very corporate insurance job, I wanted to do something with more social impact, which led me into housing. I’d had various roles with local authorities, my last being Young Persons Pathway Worker at Worcester City Council, where I worked closely with YMCA — so it felt natural to switch over to the “other side.”
Stepping back from direct work with young people was a big change. I do miss that contact sometimes, but I really enjoy my role supporting the housing team and trying to make a difference in other ways.
My work is varied — policy writing, systems (I helped implement In-Form, our new housing management system), report writing, and plenty of time with spreadsheets (sometimes with a confused look on my face!). I work closely with the forces of nature that are Jody and Michelle and get great support from Corin Fletcher. I’m always proud to say I work for YMCA Worcestershire. There are daily challenges in housing, from affordability to finding positive move-ons for our young people, but I really feel we’re making progress.
We’ve still got a way to go, but with the people we have, I believe we’ll get there.
