Adam, Rents Advisor

I am mixed heritage as my mother is Irish and my father was English. We moved several times when I was a child, including spending six years in Australia, but the Nottingham area was always where we came back to. My mother is a progressive Roman Catholic and so I was raised. I went to a Convent Catholic school in Australia where corporal punishment was part of daily life and of the time – the nuns were actually great.

I struggled at secondary school as I was homophobically bullied (though not out), socially isolated and excluded which affected my academic achievement. I still made it to university and I loved my time at Liverpool Hope studying Theology and Hinduism.

I came out at 24 years old and at that time it was just to my friends. A friend of mine had come out and, seeing the supportive reaction they got gave me the courage to follow suit. I didn’t come out to my family until years later, but when I did finally tell my mum she quipped ‘oh I always thought you were bi!’. My relationship with my dad was more complicated but no less loving and accepting. I was at peace to finally be honest and open with them.

Joining NCHA

I joined NCHA in 1993 at the age of 23. I started as a trainee hired through an employment agency in Care and Support, but after three months I got a full-time paid role in Housing Services as it was then and I’ve never looked back. 

I wasn’t openly ‘out’ at the time at work, but I vividly remember outing myself on a staff night out! We’d gone to a comedy night and I was being picked on by the comedian about assumed preferences with women and in the end I snapped back ‘no I wouldn’t because I’m gay!’. That was news to the colleagues I was out with that night and word quickly spread round.  I received nothing but support and encouragement from everyone, so I was glad it happened that way!

I’ve seen a lot of change in the time I’ve been with NCHA and worked with a lot of different people; office moves, department restructuring and computer systems to name but a few. I’m incredibly proud to work here.

Representing the views of others

I joined Unite the union in 1995 but I didn’t become a rep until 1999. Initially I was just helping to cover for a colleague, but before I knew it I was negotiating everyone’s pay with directors.

As a union rep I have always been a champion for diversity and formally became an NCHA diversity champion for all colleagues with protected characteristics. I hope that colleagues know that they can always come to me if they need help or advice. I’m passionate about change for the better, working to make improvements for everyone.

I’ve always taken the side of the underdog and as I’ve got older, I’ve learnt to be a better listener and empathetic. I’d encourage everyone to get involved and try to make a difference: ‘be the change you want to see’.