Meet our Get into Housing placements

Back in May, we welcomed Hayat and Sylvia to United Welsh as part of the Get Into Housing project.

Get into Housing is a new project offering paid placements across various roles within the housing sector to people aged over 25 that identify from diverse backgrounds. The placement offers skills, training, and real-life experience across departments including finance, customer service, development, community regeneration, and more.

Other organisations involved in this WVCA-funded project include Cadwyn, CCHA, Hafod, Linc Cymru, Taff Housing, and Wales & West Housing.

Hayat joined us as a Digital Engagement Trainee, working with our Community Investment team.

Hayat said, “I applied for the Get into Housing placement as I wanted to gain new experiences, meet new people and expand my network. 

“I am working with the Community Investment team, doing tasks such as posting on our Jobs and Training Facebook page, going to events in our communities such as the Biscuit Club in Newport, and attending meetings with my team.

“I’ve really enjoyed the mix of doing work online and also being able to go out into our communities. All of the activities are helping me gain new knowledge and experiences.

“I am very happy here. The team is helpful and supportive, and I have learned a lot from everyone.”

Sylvia joined the team as a Neighbourhood Project Worker, working alongside our Neighbourhood Officers in our communities.

Sylvia said: “I wanted to get into housing because I love people and enjoy helping others. It’s my greatest fulfilment in life. I was also once homeless, so it’s a privilege to help people gain housing and put smiles on their faces.

“So far, I’ve been visiting people in our communities and shadowing Neighbourhood Officers, meeting with teams to discuss ASB issues and offer solutions, and doing online learning modules to help gain further knowledge. Currently, I’m helping gather consent for digital communications for the Renting Homes Wales project, so I’m speaking to lots of tenants on the phone or door to door. 

“My favourite bit about the placement so far has been meeting people face to face to help resolve issues, and speaking to tenants from different ethnic backgrounds is interesting. It’s been fantastic working with my team, they’re all very helpful, friendly, and calm.”

Sarah James leads resident involvement for United Welsh.

She said: “Many of the skills required to work in housing are learnt on the job although vacancies often require previous experience in the sector, putting potential candidates off applying.

“We wanted to break down some of the barriers associated with working in housing and attract new, talented people that may not have considered us a career option.

“As a business it’s important that we not only understand the lived experience of our customers, but that we are representative of those communities, enriching the services we deliver and ensuring all of our customers are engaged, respected and included.”

You can find out more about the Get Into Housing project here.