Mentor spotlight - Deborah Wooderson

In this new series by CIH Northern Ireland, we're sitting down with some of our mentors to discover more about them. 

Mentoring is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways in which you can develop. Our mentoring programme is designed to support you in your career to help identify relevant development opportunities. Set goals and objectives, build confidence, gain knowledge, learn new skills and build strong relationships with other professionals.

Today, we're sitting down with Deborah Wooderson, director of homes and communities at Habinteg Housing Association.

How long have you worked in the housing sector and what was your first role?

I began my housing career in 1989 as the housing manager of a newly created hostel for homeless people. The hostel was created and managed by a small charity formed for the purpose of creating this hostel. It was supported by a housing association who sought the grant etc. for the building to be converted and that was my introduction to social housing.

Why did you choose a career in housing?

I didn’t originally start out in housing. I was a nurse first, then a social worker with young people. I moved to managed a community project and from that, I found that more and more young people I worked with had nowhere permanent to sleep. This led me to worked with the small group of people setting up a charity and the hostel. Since then, I have worked in a range of director roles in supported and general needs, and across departments.

I stayed within the housing sector as its never boring, there are so many roles and areas to work across and ultimately, it's both challenging and fulfilling.

Did you have a role model/motivator when you started out in this sector?

I have been very fortunate that throughout my career, I've met several wise and encouraging role models and motivators. These individuals have often never been frightened to speak the truth and always been generous with the encouragement, straightforward with their guidance and helped me find my direction through sharing their passion.

What was the best piece of advice you received throughout your career to date?

There are two from separate people.

1. Always make friends with the receptionist when you go to a new place. They know everyone and everything that’s happening in the organisation and will point you in the right direction. Don’t waste time sucking up to the CEO or a director they know little of direct use and you wont see them that often. This has always been so true and I tell all new staff I meet now the same! (It's always worth noting receptionists are also usually the source of all stationary so your never short of a pad and pen!).
2. Listen, think, listen, then don’t be afraid to act on your instinct. This I am happy to credit to the late Tom Manion a CEO from Irwell Valley housing association, who had a hundred ideas a day, most of them terrifying, but when one of them was good it was something special and exciting, worthwhile and made you proud to be part of it.

What was the most challenging situation you found yourself in throughout your career to date?

Working with people is always challenging. Sometimes its the challenge that stimulates, frustrates or even the challenge that can be quite unpleasant. However, I've found the beauty of our sector is that there are always ways to get support and people willing to help.

Why did you sign up to CIH mentor programme?

For the most part, I’ve loved my career. Over a number of years and in both the good and the not so good, I have had and still have mentors who I can talk to, bounce ideas off and seek guidance from. Becoming a mentor is about giving back some of the time and experience those people gave/give me, to someone else.

What would you say are your areas of expertise?

• Knowing what’s out there beyond just one department or role.
• Working with the tenants
• Knowing how to recognise and then play to your own strengths.

What are your top tips for succeeding in the housing sector?

Stay passionate, focus on the person who is at the receiving end of the service whether that’s a tenant, colleague or people in the communities we deliver our services across.

Remember every role in a housing association is there to provide a home for someone to live in. From HO to HR, maintenance to development, admin to SMT and the board – its all about providing a home and supporting people who live there and the communities around them.

Where if you could live anywhere in the world, would you choose and why?

I live and work in Northern Ireland and its beautiful but I’m a Manchester lass at heart and that’s where my family are. Thanks to cheap flights and ferries I don’t have to choose! 

If you'd like to explore more about mentoring at the Chartered Institute of Housing, visit our mentoring page now!