You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
From the frontline – learning and support officer Jessica Heyes
Jessica Heyes, learning and support officer at Your Housing Group’s Coops Foyer scheme, on what she likes about helping young people with their careers
Tell us about your job.
I work at a supported accommodation scheme for young people. Part of my role is to plan and deliver a weekly schedule for the learning programme, which includes independent life skills sessions for the young residents of the foyer. I also help them back into work or training with CV support and interview techniques.
How did you get into housing?
I began working at Your Housing Group a year ago. I previously worked in roles based around behavioural management and special educational settings, and I thought working with 16 to 25-year-olds would be an interesting challenge. I have been based at Coops Foyer for around six months now.
What’s the best part of your job?
I like using my life experiences to help young people who have not had the best start in life or who are struggling to know what they want to do as a career.
Being a positive role model and supporting them to achieve something is really rewarding. Whether it’s successfully securing a place at a university or smaller steps, such as meeting new people or engaging in a new hobby, it’s a fantastic feeling to be a part of their journey and see them succeed.
READ MORE
What’s the worst part?
Some days can be really overwhelming and emotional – you want to see the residents do well and sometimes that is not always the case.
What would you change about the housing sector?
When we support our residents to move on to independent living, we have encountered a few problems along the way. Funding is low when it comes to white goods and carpeting in social housing, so I would like to increase the funding options and improve their access to it.
If you could be prime minister for the day, what would you do?
I would change the benefit system for young people and grant them more funding to start out in the right way. I would also put more money into regeneration of poorer areas and communities to help prevent homelessness.
What’s the most private thing you’re willing to admit to your colleagues?
I think my colleagues already know everything about me. It’s nice to have a place of work where you can talk about your home life but also share a sense of humour.
