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From the frontline – inclusion and insight officer Becki Winkless
Becki Winkless, inclusion and insight officer at Castle Vale Community Housing, on her role linking residents with support services, hating saying no, and why she got scared at Aston Villa Football Club
What does your job involve?
I’m the link between Castle Vale Community Housing (CVCH) and Compass Support.
My job involves helping CVCH’s residents to access support from Compass’ employment, youth, health and well-being, and family support teams. I run digital sessions for residents and organise community engagement events. I am also the main contact for the community newsletter.
How did you get into housing?
I worked as a customer service advisor for another housing association in Birmingham taking repairs and maintenance-related calls, but after three years I got fed up with being on the phone so I applied for a temporary receptionist role with Compass Support.
When my job came up at CVCH, I went for it. It was a 12-month maternity cover position but five years later I’m still here.
What’s the best part of your job?
I manage CVCH’s scrutiny panel, and the thing that keeps me going every day is seeing people who have been shy and isolated getting involved, asking challenging questions and becoming big characters.
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What’s the worst part?
Having to say no. I am a team of one so there is a limit to what I can do.
I don’t like having to send people elsewhere for help but due to rules, regulations and funding there are some problems I’m not able to deal with.
What would your superpower be?
Teleportation, as our estate is 3.5 square miles and I walk roughly seven miles a day. Or, alternatively, the ability to clone myself so I could be in four places at once.
What would you change about the housing sector?
I’d like all housing organisations and their community partners to agree to open up their buildings at night to give homeless people somewhere to sleep.
If you could be prime minister for the day, what would you do?
I’d introduce a cap on private rents, set up a register for private landlords and start council inspections of private rented homes. If social landlords are expected to maintain certain standards, private landlords should, too.
What’s the most private thing you’d be willing to admit to a colleague?
A couple of months ago I had to give a speech to the local NHS clinical commissioning group at Aston Villa Football Club. I didn’t want to admit it then but I was scared.
