Emma gets a ‘New Start’ at believe housing

A stay-at-home mother’s career received a ‘new start’ at believe housing through an employment scheme.

Emma Charles had been out of fulltime work for 10 years while she looked after her family and, after previously working in care roles, she wanted a career change.

As a believe housing customer, Emma had support from Hollie Chalmers from the housing association’s Employability Team to search for new opportunities.

Hollie suggested that Emma apply for one of five new administrative roles created at believe housing in the spring.

The paid roles were created through the New Start scheme and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Government funding allocated to Durham County Council to support communities, places, businesses, people, and skills.

Successful New Start candidates receive one-to-one support from an employability coordinator, can gain a Level 2 qualification, and are guaranteed a job interview at the end of the six-month contract. It was developed by partners from the Housing Employment Network North East (HENNE), a regional collaborative which includes believe housing which works to improve employability support and job opportunities for social housing tenants and residents.

Emma jumped at the opportunity and applied for all five roles.

She was offered a position within believe housing’s Voids Team which manages unoccupied homes and gets them ready for new tenants to move in. Working closely with Voids Support Sara Uttley, Emma’s responsibilities include managing keys received from void properties and inputting energy meter readings.

The new role has been life-changing for Emma, who said: “I was suffering from low confidence and self-esteem after being out of work for so long. But starting my role in the Voids Team at believe housing has given me the boost I needed.

“I’ve really enjoyed the job and everyone in the team and across the company has been so lovely and welcoming. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and grow within the role and develop my skills.”

Stephen Dixon, Voids Manager for believe housing, said: “Emma has been outstanding since starting in our team. Her support has been vital, and she has become an invaluable member of the team in just a short space of time.”

Once her six-month New Start contract comes to an end, Emma hopes to stay on permanently with believe housing: “I would love to continue to work for believe housing and my goal is to hopefully make that a reality.

“However, I am happy to have regained some lost confidence and build up my skill and will continue to work towards a permanent admin job.”