Get Into Housing is a partnership project that works with people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethic backgrounds to start a career in housing or gain work experience.
The project offers bespoke mentoring, on-the-job experience, and pays people at least the Real Living Wage.
At United Welsh, in 2022/23, we offered a total of five, six-month work placements as part of the project. After the placements, three individuals – Mack, Marion and Sylvia – went on to gain permanent employment with us.
Marion successfully gained a permanent position as a Day Project Worker. She said:
“I was so excited when I got accepted onto the programme, and the experience I had whilst working for the homelessness team was priceless. I was also assigned a mentor, who was always available to offer advice and support. Whilst on my placement, a job became available within the team, so I decided to apply for it and was delighted when I was offered the role. I’m now a full-time project worker at Oak House.
“Following the Get into Housing programme, I am so much more confident, I believe I can do something bigger and stand up for vulnerable people.”
Mack was employed as a Liaison Officer for our Living Well team following his placement. He said:
“I moved from Hong Kong to the UK in June 2021. After a year of job hunting, I saw a post in a Hongkonger Facebook group about the Get into Housing project and applied. I am grateful that the project recognised my previous experience and gave me a chance to step into this industry.
“I was placed in the Living Well team, which provides housing for residents aged over 55. My placement involved identifying potential problems in the communal areas of our schemes and reporting them to our contractor to arrange repairs and maintenance.
“I really enjoyed my placement and I’m so happy my experience was recognised. My manager Sian placed me in the right place to fully utilise my skills and the best thing is I’ve now been employed by United Welsh.”
Get Into Housing is delivered with CCHA, Cadwyn, Hafod, Linc Cymru, Wales & West Housing and Taff Housing, with support from Welsh Government.
