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Melissa Young is our latest up-and-coming housing leader to be interviewed for our one to watch series. Ms Young works as a scheme manager for retirement village Dening Court in Exmouth. She was suggested to be interviewed by Stella Turi from the National Housing Federation
Tell us about your job.
As a scheme manager, I am the backbone of the Dening Court retirement village in Exmouth. There is a great deal of paperwork and compliance involved, but the role is so much more than being an office worker. It also consists of organising events – such as coffee mornings – for my residents, to make sure everyone feels welcome and part of the scheme community.
On one day, a major repair might get reported, and my aim would be to find the best contractor to complete the work to a great standard. Or a resident could have had an accident, and I would need to find what happened and work out how to prevent it happening again.
My days are varied and can be totally different depending on the needs of my residents.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I originate from an island called St Helena. So growing up, being surrounded by the ocean, I wanted to be a marine biologist.
Tell us about how you first came to work in housing.
I had been working in the banking and sales industries for 16 years and wanted to get away from that target and sales-driven environment.
I wanted to help people and make a difference to their lives.
I didn’t recognise the role, but when I read the job description, it included the responsibility and challenges that I needed for job satisfaction. Although I didn’t have any experience in the housing sector, I realised that the skills required were transferable when it came to dealing with people and using my organisational skills.
What’s your proudest work moment or biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement so far is achieving the Chartered Institute of Housing Level 4 diploma, which I am extremely proud of. This apprenticeship has given me the tools and knowledge that I wanted to push me academically and inspired me to want to progress my career in housing even further.
What has been your hardest moment?
The hardest moments are when a resident passes away. I have built really good relationships with them and it’s difficult if they are unwell.
One of my residents came to live at the scheme on the same day I started work. Up until the first lockdown, I visited her every day and loved sitting with her.
Shielding during the lockdowns was difficult for her and we couldn’t really chat on the phone as she depended on lip reading most of the time. I checked in with her family members who kept me updated on her well-being, but sadly she was taken into hospital and passed away a few months ago.
This was one of my hardest moments. I got through it by attending her funeral and saying my goodbyes, and by remembering our conversations and how much we enjoyed each other’s company.
Who has been the most important person in your career – and why?
There hasn’t really been just one person that has helped me the most. All my colleagues, especially my buddy scheme manager, have guided, trained and shadowed me.
My manager is on hand to support me in tricky situations by providing advice and guidance, giving me the confidence and knowledge to understand the requirements of my role and how to do it well.
If you could change one thing about the sector, what would it be?
To provide more housing that meets the supply and demand, as well as for people to understand older people’s requirements. The shortage of homes affects the lives of people in our country in so many ways, and different people have different needs when it comes to what they want from their home.
In our ‘one to watch’ series, we speak to up-and-coming housing leaders. They discuss their job, how they got to where they are and their ambitions for the future.
We aim to feature staff from across the sector.
Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague for inclusion
One to Watch series:
Alicia Walker – head of policy, research and campaigns at Centrepoint
Matthew Beetar – equality, diversity and inclusion specialist at Accent Group
Morgan Lynch – assistant development and delivery manager at Home Group
Rosalyn Springer – partnership manager (social value) at MTVH
Andreia Pinto – senior customer care co-ordinator at L&G Affordable Homes
Chris Collins – homeownership officer at Hightown
Tasmin Ross – HR officer at River Clyde Homes
Kerry Clayton – governance and compliance manager at Elderpark Housing
Eden Bailey – senior head of housing services, Hft
Vicky Gladden – quality and practice lead, BCHA
Yağmur Arduç – assistant bid manager, Morgan Sindall Property Services
Nivene Powell – head of communities, EcoWorld London
Jeanette Tolhurst – scheme manager, Hightown
Harry Clarke – finance business partner, CHP
Jasmine Tansur – resident liaison officer, Midlands, PA Housing
Georgina Bavetta – service manager, tenancy sustainment, Islington Council
Taranjit Kaur Chana – senior client services manager, Home Group
Sarah Russell – vice-chair, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
Chloe Winson – assistant surveyor, Greatwell Homes
Melissa Young – scheme manager, Housing 21
Hugh Gatenby – development analyst, Homes England
Sioned Wyn Williams – creating futures manager, Creating Enterprise (part of Cartrefi Conwy)
Avril Roberts – development project manager, RHP
Kath Menzies – housing services officer, Link Housing