A few weeks ago, I was honoured to chair a Placeshaper’s diversity session hearing women’s voices in our sector and I felt totally blown away and inspired by the women who spoke honestly and generously, sharing their stories, worries, hopes and dreams.  It was the day after watching President Biden’s inauguration ceremony and watching Michelle Obama (love that woman), Dr Jill Biden, Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and the wonderful Amanda Gorman using their power and platform to support a move to a better society. As Serena Williams said last month ‘the success of every woman should be the inspiration to another.  We should raise each other up. Make sure you are courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all, be humble’.  Wise words.

I have been asked to share my journey, so here goes.  First and foremost, I am a mum – my 24-year-old daughter means the world to me and I have worked so hard to raise her well and ensure she has the best opportunities in life.  My mum has been a wonderful inspiration to me and she still is, especially as she was widowed when my dad died when he was 53 – he was running a marathon and died during the very last mile – it has left an indelible mark on our lives and in my heart since I was 21, and in some ways, like so many who have lost loved ones so young, it drives you to make them proud and honour their memory. Molly, my daughter is a wonderful human being with a beautiful soul – after many years we shared together just her and I (I was a single parent), she graduated with a first in Fine Art in 2019 and had so many plans, but was struck down by a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus in January last year, then shortly after, the pandemic hit.  The harsh treatment path she has been on and the impact of the pandemic has been a tough old time, but we are coming out of this now and I have such high hopes for her for the future. I truly believe that every young person should have access to every opportunity in life – something we believe in bucket loads at MSV. 

As a leader in social housing, I also have high hopes for everyone I work with – I truly feel that my role is to create an environment where people can flourish – I probably don’t always get that right, but I really try.  My own path into housing was similar to most- I fell into it (we really do need to promote housing as a career and make more people aware of how wonderful and rewarding it can be!). I remember watching a documentary when I was in junior school about a journalist who slept rough for two weeks to highlight the plight of people who were homeless (could happen to any one of us) and I said to my dad at the time that I wanted to do something - he always said I should aim to be a social worker. In my time, I have worked with Salford Council, for the City of Vancouver, CDS in Liverpool (now Plus Dane) and St Vincent’s/MSV and spent all of my career so far in housing (it’s been 32 years and counting!) and have worked with the most wonderful people and communities along the way – meeting so many people who have inspired me that I could fill a book! So many people have helped me on my path and I always try to do the same.

I feel very lucky to have found my home in social housing, and feel absolutely determined that we continue to make a difference every day. To be honest, I had absolutely no career plan per se – just worked as hard as I could, believed in what we do, and valued all of the people I work with and who we serve.  I have worked in neighbourhoods, a contact centre, income management, tenancy support, lettings, repairs, regeneration, stock transfer, supported housing, and development and have been a CEO for the last 9 years (basically a bit of everything and supporting everyone) – it’s sometimes really tough, is a lot of responsibility but it is always rewarding. I live and breathe my work – but I am learning to balance things a little more – and one thing I do regret and would advise anyone is to ensure is that there is balance in their lives around work and home.  I remember Molly being selected for an award for her art and she was presented the award by the Mayor in Trafford when she was 7. At the time, there was much more of a 9-5 presenteeism culture even in our sector and not too much respect for caring responsibilities, and I had to go to an ‘important’ meeting that day instead of attending the ceremony.  Her grandparents took her instead. I cannot for the life of me remember what that meeting was, but I absolutely remember that I missed seeing her little face light up as she received the award.   

I have had ups and downs and have absolutely been the recipient of inappropriate sexist remarks in the past, had challenges with my own health, feeling guilty especially as a single mum about work and home, and a LOT of sleepless nights about the work we do. But I believe in it and I think we are on a path to greater equality. And for now, we have a huge challenge that requires a big audacious response – we need the energy to take this on, and my advice to other women is to ensure you look after your own health (mine has been difficult), ensure you achieve balance, choose your battles well, build good relationships and networks (life is about people), keep learning and growing and as Serena said – be kind.

I went on to train my daughter as a painter decorator who is also NVQ level 3 who has a physical disability as well.

I've done various works with various companies through the years, and have always found it uncomfortable when starting with a new company because of it being Male oriented. 

I realized after all these years that it's actually the men who feel intimidated by me and not the other way around. 

The work I do is described as: Practitioners that aim to prevent accidents, injuries and health problems in the workplace; that create health and safety policies, and make sure that employers and workers put them into practice and follow safety laws.

I would additionally describe it as a desire to support workers to make safe decisions.

Occasionally the sexual or demeaning comments were made while I was in the room, which still happens occasionally. Meant to sound like banter, which if you take offence at you are being ‘touchy’. I have developed a thick skin after 15 years in the role, but that doesn’t mean I won’t challenge comments. I do; but rather than giving back as good as I get (as Mum said ‘don’t sink to their level’) I show them I deserve a place in the room by showing my knowledge (and relative understanding of their issues) as well as genuine care and concern for their wellbeing.

If I had my time over again, I would start this role even younger than I did because, despite the above, I love what I do. Nothing beats supporting someone to be safe and healthy. Anyone thinking of joining the profession needs to like people and process (and the inevitable risk assessments).

Finally, someone said to me recently, “there seem to be a lot of women in H&S in housing” and I asked him the question, “why not”. He didn’t know how to answer, but was that bias, or making general conversation? You decide.

I went on to explain that they were paid for their skill and I was paid for mine, which was to manage our contracts, build great relationships with clients, bring in more work so that we would all have good jobs long into the future.  That was what being a team was all about, different people doing different jobs but pulling together for the same aim.

In my current role I have three great teams working on Voids, Cyclical Redecoration and Environmental services.  Each team led by an Assistant Manager.  One thing I have learned and hope I demonstrate is that respect is earned, and it is a two way street.  I hope I always encourage my teams to share their ideas, knowledge and skills, and to recognise that we do not get everything right straight away, but if we truly work to our best abilities, with passion, care and hard work, we will get there.

I love working in this field and have met and worked with a number of Future Leaders.  I have seen people who have worked in my teams go on and do great things, and if I played a small part in that, I’m over the moon. I would honestly say to any you women out there, consider a trade, or any role in a Property Services environment where you can thrive and grow.  No two days are the same, but most days are great days.

If my (male) doctor had taken my symptoms seriously I would not have suffered in silence for all of those years – what I had experienced was real and could easily have been treated. Unfortunately, experiences like mine where women’s health concerns and pain is dismissed happens all the time, as reported in this article by the BBC.

Gender bias comes into every area of our lives and it’s not always as obvious as unwanted harassment on the street. Covert gender bias like what I’ve experienced is something women have to fight every day. While gender biases still exist they limit what we can achieve and how we are perceived. This needs to change now. #ChoosetoChange