From social housing to empowering Communities: Conor’s journey

Meet Conor, a dedicated Community Housing Manager at Places for People whose inspiring journey is a testament to resilience and Community spirit. Through his work, he is committed to making a positive impact in the housing sector, guided by his personal experiences and a profound understanding of the challenges faced by those living in social housing.

We asked Conor to talk us through early life and what it was like growing up in social housing:

“Growing up in social housing was simply the best and hardest parts of my life rolled into one. I loved it and hated it at the same time. I loved the fact everyone on the estate knew each other, neighbours and friends were always in and out of each other's houses, the front doors were better suited to be revolving with people coming and going. It was a sense of real Community. People in common with nothing to do and no prospects or anything to keep us from causing problems - but we made our own fun. 

“We played kirby, built dens in the woods, and dared each other to knock on the doors of the less friendly neighbours. Life on the estate wasn’t easy. We didn’t have much, and it was tough seeing others with more. The go-to phrase that was shouted at us by residents who got annoyed with our behaviour was ‘Don’t you lot have anything better to do?’ Well, the answer was simply no, we didn’t have anything better to do. 

“But that all changed when the council decided to appoint a youth worker to run a project in the area to help reduce the crime and anti-social behaviour. He opened up the derelict Community hall every Wednesday and Friday evenings for us. We begged and pleaded with our mum to give us both a pound each so that we could go to the youth club when it was on. With pool tables, computers, and even a PlayStation, the youth club provided us with opportunities and experiences we could never have afforded otherwise.

“One summer, the youth worker took us to France for a week. It was the best trip I ever had with the youth club and opened our eyes to a world beyond the council estate. The club gave us a sense of purpose and kept us out of trouble, showing us that there was more to life than our immediate surroundings. 

“It all sounds great, but it was also tough living in social housing. As I say, no one really had a lot. But we all had each other and I can tell you now most of the genuine generous people I met were the ones who didn’t have two pennies to rub together. We might not have had the latest trainers or the new football kits every year but we had fun, and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. It's shaped me into the person I am today.”

He shared how his personal background has influenced his work: 

“Inspired by the positive impact the youth club had on my life, I pursued a career in mentoring and coaching young people. I worked with at-risk youth in pupil referral units and became an outdoor education instructor and youth leader. These roles allowed me to give back to the Community and help young people avoid the mistakes I saw growing up.

“It's allowed me to try and understand things from a personal perspective. I think it helps me be able to connect and interact with Customers, to show them that as a business we are here to listen, and we do care. I feel my upbringing and my life have a huge impact on the way I deal with situations at work. So many people in social housing are misunderstood. Some people genuinely have no other choice and do struggle and are hard-working people just wanting to earn a living to pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads.”

In closing Conor shared his advice to young people currently facing similar struggles:

“You can’t choose the cards you're given, and no amount of jealousy or upset will fix it, but you can change your cards moving forward. Accept your life as it is and find the joy in starting from the bottom. The journey will be a whole lot easier if you accept it and enjoy the ride, I promise you that. The sooner you can be content and happy in your environment and where you are in life, the sooner you can progress and move on.

“The moment I accepted our unstable upbringing, I began to appreciate it. It made me who I am today. I’ve achieved things I’m proud of, like buying a property, rescuing a homeless dog, and starting to build my own future. I know my life could have been worse, and anyone’s situation can always be worse. I’m just an average guy who grew up on a council estate with a bit of a story behind me, but it’s my story, and I’m proud of it.” 

Conor’s story is a powerful reminder that our past experiences can shape us into compassionate leaders who strive to make a difference in the lives of others. His dedication and empathetic approach to his work in housing demonstrate that with the right support and mindset, we can turn our challenges into opportunities for growth and positive change.