Housing visit is a home sweet home for future career prospects

Social Care and Community Practice students’ year saw another career avenue before them following a visit to a housing association as part of a final year module.

‘Housing and Community Living’ introduces students to housing studies and the potential jobs within this area.

Wellingborough Homes met with the students to talk about the history of the area and the social issues in the town that social care professionals like themselves may face in their careers.

Students have the chance to visit a different public sector organisation once a year as a key part of their course. Last year, this particular cohort went to Northampton Borough Council, talking to officials and seeing how the authority works behind the scenes.

The visit will have a more legal edge next year, as first year students will be taken to a local Magistrates court.

Student Sandy Ward said: “The trip to Wellingborough Homes was very informative in regards to the initial development of the housing estates and their purpose and how in today’s environment essentially less fit for the growing diverse population, highlighting strategies and planning to meet the need of the area. For me, speaking one on one with the housing officers was really useful and helped boost my confidence to apply for housing officer posts.”

Student Yvonne Marawo added: “The Wellingborough trip was an informative experience as it gave me an insight into how the housing sector functions and the history of Wellingborough as well as the variety of options available within the sector and the challenges and limitations of social housing.”

Kelly Smith, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care at University of Northampton, summed up the visit: “We take our students on visits to housing organisations so they get a real feel for how these places work and, crucially, see their place working within them. The trips help marry the theory with the practice and bolster student employability.”