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A week in the life of… an assistant director of housing
Evonne Hudson is meant to be having a week off from her job as assistant director of housing at Havering Council. But it’s still a busy week of attending forums and meetings, mentoring, volunteering and dealing with a tragedy
Monday
This is my week off. But there’s no rest for the wicked and I find myself logging in. It’s a key week to serve some legal notices for our regeneration programme. I check in with my business support officer, Joanne Morris – she is co-ordinating all of the documents in my absence.
I catch up on emails and undertake a number of approvals, including catching up on some messages from our lead member for housing. I am very lucky to not only work with a great team but to have a council member who is supportive yet also challenges me and my teams to deliver the best services and keep residents at the forefront.
I also catch up with my management team, the members of which have all so efficiently adjusted to the demands of managing their teams during the pandemic. I could not deliver and lead my service without them – so a special and personal thanks to all of my team.
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Tuesday
I act as a mentor, and today I catch up with one of my mentees who is struggling with working from home and finding a work-life balance.
We talk about pressures, mental health and general well-being, and look at ways to prioritise, tools to manage workload pressures, time management, relaxation techniques and how to touch base with colleagues in the new working world. We also talk about techniques to distinguish home time and work time. It’s important to recognise that we all struggle and that there is help out there. No one will judge you. You might be surprised that others are feeling exactly the same.
The Housing Diversity Network runs mentoring programmes for staff and boards. Being a mentor has given me an opportunity to give back to a sector I love as well as meet such a great range of diverse, passionate and innovative people committed to the housing sector.
Wednesday
Today I have the privilege of chairing a webinar event entitled ‘Building Inclusive Models of Governance in the Housing Sector’. It was a joint event with the Housing Diversity Network and law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper. We were joined by more than 40 participants from across the sector.
Thursday
A reminder that in the midst of this madness, life happens. I attend the funeral for a great man who loved and supported me every step of the way. I will miss him with every breath I take. Everyone should take time to be with their family and loved ones – work can wait.
Friday
This afternoon I attend the Chartered Institute of Housing’s equality, inclusion and diversity forum, of which I am a panel member.
Later I take my two crazy sausage dogs over to my local sheltered housing scheme. We have attended regularly to give the residents some therapy time with pets. It has been a little different during the coronavirus pandemic, but we have ensured personal protective equipment is worn and social distancing measures are in place.
Many residents are really struggling with the isolation from family members, so Coco and Harley’s fur hugs and wagging tails are greatly appreciated.
Do you know an outstanding professional who deserves to be featured? Email jess.mccabe@insidehousing.co.uk with your suggestions
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A week in the life series
Our ‘A week in the life’ series features housing professionals talking through what they do in their job on a day-to-day basis.
Find out about the different challenges housing workers in a variety of roles face in a given week.
We aim to feature staff from housing associations, ALMOs, local authorities and more.
Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague for inclusion
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