Mentoring spotlight - Phillip Morrison Gale

To coincide with 2024’s National Mentoring Month, a few of our CIH members are sharing their experience with mentoring throughout their career. To kick us off, Phillip Morrison Gale, CEO of Cill Dara Housing Association shares his relatively new foray into mentoring.

After some time working with at risk young people, community groups and then risk management in the retail sector, I began my career in housing with Clúid Housing about 15 years ago. Being inspired to continue my housing career after I moved back to Scotland, various roles took me on a journey from Edinburgh to the remote Shetland Islands, then on to Dumfries and Galloway, progressing from housing officer to head of housing. In 2020, I decided to move back to Ireland, and now I’m chief executive of at Cill Dara Housing Association.

My first experience with mentoring was back in 2022 and since then, I have found it to be a very fulfilling experience, both as a mentor and as a mentee. Mentors encourage and enable professional or personal development. They are a wise, experienced guru to cheer you on and help you level up in your career or personal life. That’s what mentors are all about – working with you on practical steps to get you where you want to be.

Throughout my career in housing, I've had the absolute privilege of collaborating with awe-inspiring people and teams, dedicated to making a real difference in people's lives. They are the ones who remind me every day that the work we do is so important and far reaching. Personally, I’m driven by my interests in people and culture and as I reflect, I realise I wouldn't be where I am today without the guidance and support of mentors and role models who have played an important in my career.

I’ve found working in housing to be rewarding – but of course there are times when the job is tough. We meet all kinds of people and encounter situations that challenge us.

I don’t think mentoring is just for people wishing to progress their careers, it's a tool for anyone with a growth mindset who wants to sharpen their skills, build emotional strength, expand their network and further their skills. Plus, teaming up with like-minded folks who share your passions for our sector is always a recipe for success.

If you’re a CIH member, remember mentoring is included as part of your membership. This includes becoming a mentor to help other CIH members, but also finding your own mentor to guide you on your career journey. You can find out more here.

If you’re not yet a CIH member but you’d like to get involved with mentoring, you can find out about our full list of member benefits and how to get started here.