RISING STARS BLOG: Natasha Jones
In task two of Rising Stars 2018, our 10 candidates are set the challenge of writing a blog for Inside Housing. Here is a piece from Natasha Jones
When I first read the task, I was instantly worried because for a large proportion of the time I will be on maternity leave with my first child.
As you can imagine I am extremely excited about becoming a new mum, but felt sad when I asked myself and colleagues “do I mention that am on maternity and will this go against me”? Which got me thinking, how awful is it that this fear still exists in today’s modern society.
A recent survey by the Equality and Human Rights Commission stated that one third of British third sector organisations consulted believe that women who become pregnant and new mothers in work are “generally less interested in career progression” when compared to other employees in their company.
“Becoming a new mum has made me reflect on how lucky I am to have a warm, secure home to raise my family.”
Well I am proof that is not the case and I aim to tackle that preconception over the next 12 months. I am and will always be an ambitious woman in housing.
Don’t get me wrong, yes the next 12 months will have its challenges, I will be tired from sleepless nights and who wouldn’t be? But I am very fortunate to have an extremely supportive fiancé, a compassionate and caring employer and I work in a sector that champions and empowers women.
Becoming a new mum has made me reflect on how lucky I am to have a warm, secure home to raise my family.
The future of housing is filled with uncertainty, what housing choices will my child have to make?
READ MORE
I will continue to be a part of the movement to solve the housing crisis. We all have our parts to play.
If I were to become your Rising Star I would seize every opportunity, especially expanding my network and getting to meet other likeminded professionals and inspirational leaders who could help me to develop and reach my full potential.
Networking is one of my strengths as I enjoy and thrive when learning from others and taking away ideas that can shape my work and help me to see things from a different angle.
This will also help me to identify and achieve a board position for a small organisation which I am keen to explore, helping me develop my strategic decision making.
“Networking is one of my strengths as I enjoy and thrive when learning from others.”
Over the next 12 months I aim to further develop as a senior manager and become an inspirational leader (and mum), like my role model and mentor, my head of service.
She too has been shortlisted in the Inspirational Leader category of the Housing Heroes Awards following my submission.
I will complete the ILM Level 5 qualification as well as complete the MHA Management programme.
I have nominated myself as a mentor within the MHA Future Leaders programme, which will provide me with an opportunity to mentor the organisations future talent.
I am on a mission to continue to be a good manager.
In 2019, I aim to enter my team for Team of the Year in the Women in Housing Awards.
I have worked with the team to set challenging performance indictors and set their priorities for 2018/19 in a robust team plan, so I will be utilising my ‘keeping in touch days’ to monitor progress and keep informed of recent changes.
Lastly if I was successful, I would share my story during the global celebration International Women’s Day in March 2019.
I would showcase the benefits of being a Rising Star and juggling a work/life balance as a new mum by taking part in the series of events that are hosted by the National Assembly for Wales, across the Senedd Estate.
I think becoming a new mum and achieving the Rising Star award would be life changing for me.
Natasha Jones, engagement manager, Monmouthshire Housing Association
Rising Stars 2018 Blogs
