I’ve worked for RHA Wales since 2018, my current role being Business Improvement Partner. 

I originally trained as a chartered accountant and spent the first 15 years of my career working in industry for an electronics manufacturer. Whilst I enjoyed my role and loved the people I worked alongside, I always felt that I’d like to do something more meaningful. In 2016 I was made redundant when the company I worked for relocated. At the time I was devastated and what followed was a difficult 18 months as I struggled to get back into work because of low confidence and severe anxiety. 

After considerable research, I thought I might like to work in the housing sector, where I could use my skills and experience to make a difference to people and to our local communities. I approached RHA, initially to ask if I could volunteer with them for 2 days a week to get some housing experience and build up my confidence, and I’ve never looked back. After six months of volunteering, I was offered a paid contract and then a full time permanent role in the business. 

I love working in the housing sector because I feel like I’m giving something back. I grew up in this area and really do care about our local communities. As Business Improvement Partner, I work across the organisation giving support to other teams with various projects they are working on. Recently, I’ve worked on helping RHA to gain the QED Accreditation for our work on equality and diversity and also on setting up and testing our new online tenant portal. The work is varied and no day is ever dull. I get to see so many different sides of the business and I enjoy working with different teams to help them improve their systems and processes and, ultimately, the services we deliver to our tenants. 

I love working for RHA. I work with so many inspirational and supportive people who have encouraged me to challenge myself and be the best that I can be. We work fully flexible hours and have every other Friday off – which has made no end of difference to my wellbeing and anxiety. There are so many organisations out there that talk about wellbeing and inclusion but I’m proud to work for RHA because they really do mean it – from the Exec team, right the way through the business. We really do care about our colleagues and our tenants and I love being part of the RHA ‘family.