After 12 years in the civil service, I made the brave but terrifying decision to take voluntary redundancy and pursue a career in the housing sector. Despite very few qualifications and my only experience of housing was that I was living in one, Linc took a chance on me and offered me a role as a Customer Service Advisor in their contact team, initially covering maternity leave.

I remain ever grateful for this opportunity as this is where I learnt about the core business, listening to tenant queries, questions and concerns, reporting repairs, compliments, complaints and so much more.

My hope to support and engage more with tenants was realised when I was successful in gaining a role with Linc’s Community Engagement Team, and then a year ago I was fortunate to join our new Regeneration Team.

I have definitely found my ‘happy place’ here and can honestly say I love my job supporting tenants with volunteering, work experience and helping them into full or part time work. I could not do all of this and achieve so many positive outcomes without the encouragement, empowerment, trust and support I receive from my manager.

Recently, I have been working with a young tenant who has been struggling to find work. Together we found her confidence, improved her application form and interview skills. This morning, I received an exciting phone call from her that after a successful interview for a job, she will start next week. This is so important for her as she is now in the proud position of being able to fund her college place, allowing her to pursue her career goal of becoming a solicitor. Her news is what makes my job worthwhile and creates job satisfaction.

As my friends at the Cambridge Dictionary say, it’s ‘the feeling of pleasure and achievement that you experience in your job when you know that your work is worth doing’.

Shelly is a Community Engagement Assistant at Linc Cymru