Jodie Williams | Warrington Housing Association | Performance & Policy Officer
JW: Calculating performance data for internal and external management of business performance and attainment of targets, goals and values. In this new position, the role is still developing. I am involved with software, our Colleague Newsletter, Colleague Forum and other exciting and important aspects of Corporate Services.
What’s the best part of your job?
JW: Learning how to help colleagues so they can best be themselves and do their job to provide a quality service for the benefit of customers, their health and happiness.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your role since the beginning of the pandemic?
JW: I have no pre-pandemic benchmark for my current job role. I started at WHA as an Asset & Compliance Apprentice at the beginning of the pandemic. I have been in my current role as Performance & Policy Officer since June 2021. However, a challenge I have observed is the growing demand on colleagues/teams to maintain services, the pursuit of business plans, targets and values as customer needs continue to grow, whether this be a primary or secondary cause of the pandemic or despite the pandemic. These challenges could be related to physical health, mental health, the material supply chain, employment, financial support, carbon output, compliance, building safety etc.
What’s a valuable lesson you’ve learnt during the pandemic?
JW: That there are more people, organisations and sectors out there who care about doing what they believe to be right by our people and spaces than I had previously thought. I am not yet sure if there is a single best step to take in empowering people, but I believe that the more people who care about trying to with the ability and willingness to stand, work, share, listen, learn, rest and take accountability then there's a better chance of promoting and protecting the health, safety and futures of everyone present and future. A better chance than if we didn't try at all, or if we only tried alone or against others who are trying to pursue the same goals as you/us.
If you had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
JW: Spiced sweet potato and coconut soup.
Who would be your perfect celebrity dinner guest and why?
JW: A financially, resource or authority rich celebrity who is willing and able to have a meal with anyone and everyone who is in or is facing food insecurity, this meal would not require the physical presence of the celebrity anywhere other than where they currently reside. The celebrity would make all arrangements and cover any costs to make this meal as sustainable as possible for all individuals and all surrounding social and physical landscapes. My reasoning is that this seems like a fairly meaningful use of a limited opportunity if it were just one dinner and one celebrity.
Favourite band or artist?
JW: My music presence jumps around a little, I'm less concerned with a particular band or artist and more so with what sounds feel right in the moment. I don't have a favourite artist, or even a top-five, though I do appreciate the art and the humanity surrounding the creation of the sound.