My route into housing really came from necessity. Having relocated from London, I was looking for my next ‘not-for-profit’ job opportunity in the South West and Selwood Housing, a housing association based in my new local town, was looking for a marketing and comms executive. I couldn’t believe it – a job that was walkable to get to and didn’t require a 50-minute packed train commute each day!
Sector connections
As part of my application I reflected on what connections I had to this sector and was surprised by what came up – more than I had first thought. Firstly, part of the reason I left London sadly was what felt like the impossibility of buying a home there – and home in my case also represented the potential for a family. Also, I come from very working-class routes: my Dad and his siblings were brought up in social housing and I fondly recall the memories I have of their and family members’ homes.
We are shaped so much by place; where we have grown up and where we call home. Fortunately, I’ve always been able to afford a roof over my head, but I know for many that’s not the case, and circumstances in life can and do change frequently.
Sense of purpose
So I certainly felt a sense of purpose joining the housing sector and this new role. What contribution could I make to support our customers and to challenge the stigma that still exists around social housing?
For comms professionals considering their next career move or step change, housing offers a plethora of challenges and opportunities. And, like the charity sector, there are so many sizes and shapes of organisation to consider. From my experience, working in a medium-sized housing association (just over 7,200 properties) has provided:
- Opportunities to really influence the communications strategy and agenda
- Great access to operational and executive colleagues
- Opportunities to progress my career
My final reason to consider this sector: the people. I’ve had the good fortune to work alongside some very knowledgeable and committed colleagues, all driven I believe by that same sense of purpose.
Frances Ginn is Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Selwood Housing Group
