Hannah Lock

My journey

I went straight from school to university, studying Biochemistry at the University of Exeter. I had a great couple of years, studying hard, finding new hobbies, and making lots of friends – during my time there, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Canada, which spared a deeper interest in global and public health through volunteering experiences. After graduating, I pursued a Master’s in Global Health and Social Justice in London, combining my scientific background with a passion for social impact.

I was searching for a way to make a tangible difference in my local community and was drawn to the non-profit sector, though I wasn’t sure exactly where I fit. Charityworks offered a unique opportunity to explore this space while staying true to my values. My placement with Charityworks was at a housing and social care organisation, specialising in the delivery of services to people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to apply my interest in health with housing, something something fundamental to wellbeing and quality of life.

My placement experience

I was placed at Advance Housing and Support as a graduate analyst in the IT department.

I had a wonderful time whilst working at Advance, and was fortunate to be able to get involved in a wide range of projects both through my direct work and being encouraged to broaden my horizons. I worked on major IT and data protection projects, including delivering a new reporting solution. I also explored customer-facing initiatives like assistive technology, which aligned with my interest in health and innovation.

Having not worked in housing before, and having limited knowledge of the sector, the first year at Advance was a whirlwind of developing skills and knowledge. A lot of the most valuable knowledge that I gained came from spending one-to-one time with people across all of the different teams, as well as taking advantage of some of the many conferences that happen in the sector. I developed a strong foundation in IT systems, data management, and data protection. I also completed project management and report writing training. Through my impact research, I focused on assistive technology and received specialised training in that area. Much of my learning came from engaging with colleagues across departments and attending sector conferences.

What I’m doing now

I’m currently a Project Manager at Platform Housing Group, working on projects across assets, property maintenance, and innovative IT initiatives involving AI. Charityworks played a pivotal role in shaping my career path, helping me build sector knowledge, professional networks, and confidence. It reinforced my commitment to housing as a sector where people genuinely care about making a difference.

Charityworks also showed me the importance of making connections, seeking out advice and support, and that there’s no right or wrong career path, it’s about making the best of what you have in the moment.

Joining the Women in Social Housing Midlands Board has been a standout moment, and being able to host a session with them at Housing Technology has been one of my proudest achievements. I’m passionate about creating inclusive spaces for women in housing and tech, and it was an honour to lead a conversation on how we can inspire women from all backgrounds to thrive in these fields.

My take on the sector

Charityworks brings fresh talent and new perspectives into the sector. It helps young professionals understand the broader social impact of housing and encourages cross-sector collaboration and innovation. I think programmes like Charityworks help people to explore meaningful work by giving them the opportunity to learn what their strengths and interests are in a support environment.

The sector faces challenges in attracting and retaining talent due to limited awareness of the career opportunities available and the perception of housing as a narrow field. There’s a need to better communicate the diversity of roles and the meaningful impact professionals can have.

Hosting a trainee is a chance to invest in future leaders and bring fresh energy into your organisation. Trainees often bring curiosity, adaptability, and a strong desire to make a difference. I would also add that if you’re thinking about hosting a trainee then make sure you create a role for them in which they can stretch themselves, think outside the box, and gain experience across a broad range of housing opportunities beyond the role they are in. I think this is a crucial aspect of retaining talent in the sector, helping people to find the area that they’re passionate about within housing.

My standout moments

One standout moment was working directly with service users on an assistive technology project. Seeing how small changes in technology could significantly improve someone’s independence and quality of life was incredibly rewarding. It was also an opportunity to work collaboratively with other organisations and celebrate the progress they’re making in the sector.

Advise to early-career professionals starting in the sector

Be open to learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take on challenges outside your comfort zone. The housing sector is full of passionate people – connect with them, seek mentorship, and remember that your career path doesn’t have to be linear to be impactful.

Project Manager, Platform Housing Group

Charityworks Alumni, 2019

“Charityworks played a pivotal role in shaping my career path, helping me build sector knowledge, professional networks, and confidence. It reinforced my commitment to housing as a sector where people genuinely care about making a difference.”