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From the frontline - Heidi Leyshon
Heidi Leyshon, communities manager at Sovereign, talks about her joy in seeing people ‘grow’
Tell us about your job.
I’m the service lead for a team of employment and training officers and community officers who help people with their work goals.
They could be recovering from an illness, have never been in work because they’ve been caring for a relative or something similar, or they could be stuck in a job that doesn’t give them any security.
We help them to look for work or better work.
Often the solution can be training to reach their work goals. It’s really exciting to support so many people to achieve their career goals.
How did you get into housing?
I trained as a ballet dancer and when I left the dance world, I was looking for a new passion. I wanted to do something that made a difference and was looking for a sector that enabled me to have a positive impact on people’s lives.
My mum has worked in housing for more than 20 years and she kept urging me to apply for roles, telling me I’d love the challenge. Eventually I took her advice, applied for a generic housing officer role and got it.
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What is the best part of your job?
I love seeing people ‘grow’. When people grow there’s a new spring in their step, they stand an inch taller and there’s a glowing confidence about them. There’s nothing better than being able to see this and know you’ve played a role in it.
What’s the worst part?
Systems! We’re constantly up against a challenge with what data systems can actually do versus what we need them to do.
We’re still looking for that silver bullet that can support day-to-day activities, report to the board, measure impact and administer our grants without being overly complicated or laborious.
What would you change about the housing sector?
I’d like the government to recognise the full spectrum of support that housing associations provide and what we contribute to the sector.
I’d make it mandatory for registered providers to deliver tenancy and life skills support. This support should be proportionate to their turnover, with larger housing associations supporting smaller ones.
If you could be prime minister for the day, what would you do?
Make politics accessible and fit for future generations by including politics as part of the school curriculum, and by changing the voting system.
What’s the most private thing you’re willing to admit to your colleagues?
I like unicorns!
