You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
From the frontline – Sophie Phillips
Sophie Phillips, senior community engagement officer at Watford Community Housing, speaks about her work listening to tenants
Tell us about your job.
I work on anything that involves listening to tenants and getting their views – whether that’s through community groups, residents’ associations or our tenant representatives.
It’s very collaborative, incredibly varied and is all about the people.
I also work with partners to locate resources and fund community development, delivering projects that invest in our tenants and their communities.
How did you get into housing?
I began in an HR trainee position after my degree, but thanks to supportive colleagues I was given an opportunity to take on a completely new role that reflected my enthusiasm for community and passion for volunteering. After a short break to travel, I took on the position of community engagement officer in 2012. I’ve been working in community roles ever since.
What is the best part of your job?
The people. I get to meet some of the most inspiring, resilient change-makers on a daily basis.
I don’t think I could change the world but I’ve seen so many times how much you can change the world for one person.
READ MORE
What’s the worst part?
This is tricky but it would have to be that there is a limit to how much we can do.
What would you change about the housing sector?
As a gateway organisation, Watford Community Housing (WCH) has really embedded the value of community work, but it frustrates me that there is such a varied commitment to community engagement across the sector.
It takes years to build positive relationships with tenants and to establish processes that ensure tenants’ voices are heard. We need a consistent commitment across the sector.
If you could be prime minister for the day, what would you do?
I would increase the funding available for initiatives that support communities. I meet all kinds of fantastic local organisations supporting vulnerable people on a daily basis and I fear how long it would take us to rebuild these projects if they are allowed to disappear.
What’s the most private thing you’d be willing to admit to your colleagues?
At 18 I was flown to Scotland to complete a leadership qualification with the charity Pro-Action. We climbed Ben Nevis and kayaked with seals and jellyfish. I was absolutely petrified and so there was rather a lot of swearing going on – they said I was the worst young person they had ever had to work with! Amusingly, 10 years later, I’m a trustee for that same charity.
