The CHOOSE HOUSING campaign seeks to raise awareness of the career opportunities in the housing sector, provide a focus to encourage new opportunities and for people to seek out housing as a career of choice. The phrase “I fell into a housing career” is often heard. This year’s presidential campaign’s purpose is to replace it – encouraging people to CHOOSE HOUSING.

Commenting on her campaign launch, Elly Hoult said: “No matter who you are or where you come from, choosing the right career can shape your future. In the housing sector, we do more than provide homes - we create opportunities, build communities and make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to make a change, there’s a place for everyone in housing.

“I’m looking forward to working with CIH, its members, and the wider sector and industry contractors throughout this campaign to showcase the amazing career opportunities housing provides. Using our collective voice as a sector to encourage new opportunities and for the next generation to choose housing.”

Within the CHOOSE HOUSING campaign Elly has chosen to raise money for Barnardo’s, a charity which has been changing childhoods and lives for over 150 years. Barnardo’s makes sure children and young people feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful, by running over 800 specialist services across the UK, and campaigning to change the way the system works for the better.

Elly said: “Barnardo’s provide a lifeline for many children and young people. Their work to support children to be more hopeful centres around enabling children experiencing challenges to move into adulthood with hope and confidence, including career guidance and opportunities which resonates deeply with my campaign. I’m super enthusiastic to be fundraising for Barnardo’s over the next year and look forward to scaling great heights to support this worthwhile charity.”

Gavin Smart, CIH chief executive welcomed Elly’s CHOOSE HOUSING campaign commenting: “As housing professionals and organisations, we know that by collaborating we can learn from each other, to inspire, innovate, and evolve our work and make the sector stronger.

“Elly’s presidential campaign provides a fantastic platform to showcase housing as a career of choice, inspire the next generation of housing professionals and encourages new opportunities for the next generation of housing professionals. As a founding member of CIH Futures and now in her role as CIH president Elly is the ideal person to inspire people to choose housing.”

Donations can be made to Elly’s fundraising for Barnardo’s here.