Carla, Support Worker

NCHA has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents and I moved into an NCHA rented home when I was five and we stayed there for years. I had two younger sisters and I always took on a caring role towards them. Back in the 1970s it felt like girls should be quiet and not make a fuss, but I always hated that society had these kind of expectations and pre-judgements of people.

We lived in the Forest Fields area of Nottingham, which was a very diverse area and had a huge influence on me. When I grew up I met a man at party who would become my long-term partner and father of my children. We got our own NCHA home together and I’ve lived there for 32 years now. I am white and my then-partner is black, which still felt like a taboo subject at the time. I remember being verbally abused a few times while we were out together.

We had two sons together who are dual heritage. We have regularly faced racist attitudes, sometimes overtly. I remember my eldest son being told to ‘go back to where you came from’. Often things are more subtle, such as being stopped more often by the police. But I’m incredibly proud to have raised two young men who have never been in trouble and are doing well in life. It was important to me to teach them never to rely on a woman to do domestic chores for them.

A turning point

In 2009 I took some time out from working to care for a dear friend who needed support at the end of her life following a terminal cancer diagnosis. The conversations we had and her advice for me had a real impact on me. She told me to find the career I’m good at and pursue that, which is what inspired me to apply for my first role at NCHA, providing floating support to people fleeing domestic abuse. I feel like NCHA gave me a new start in life when I really needed it.

Since then I’ve worked at a variety of different care and support services at NCHA, and I’ve really enjoyed meeting and helping the people I come into contact with. I love working with my colleagues at NCHA. Everyone is working together to do their absolute best for our customers. We’re also lucky have fantastic training and development opportunities, and our equality, diversity and inclusion programme.

Working with people inspired me to become a steward for Unison the union, and now I’m a contact person at NCHA for colleagues who are having problems. Often my role is like a counsellor, talking through options and potential outcomes. I’m here to help anyone who needs me.

Winning an award

My current role is as a Support Worker for our Homelessness Prevention Service. We’re here to stop people becoming homeless, whether they need help with benefits, budgeting, applying for jobs, moving house, changing family circumstances – all kinds of issues. I also regularly do shifts at other services. I’d do anything for anyone, it’s part of who I am.

In 2023 I was absolutely honoured to win NCHA’s Person of the Year Award. It was voted for by colleagues which meant so much me. My trophy takes pride of place in my living room and I’ll never forget the wonderful words and messages I received from so many people.

I’d recommend working at NCHA to anyone, it’s been the best place I ever could’ve joined and I’m so thankfully for the opportunities it’s given me.