Joanne’s 20 year career in housing has spanned several roles ar great organisations such as; Newcastle & Whitley Housing which became Riverside Housing, Shelter and YMCA North Tyneside.

During her time in Shelter Joanne’s helped hundreds of people leaving both temporary accommodation and prison leavers to find long term housing (a job made even harder during Covid).

At Riverside, Joanne was part of the team responsible for housing 2000+ residents in both general needs and supported accommodation.

During her time at YMCA North Tyneside, Joanne focussed on specialist supported housing and was directly responsible for moving 50+ residents with learning difficulties out of unsuitable accommodation and into their forever homes.

“Over the 20 years that I’ve worked in housing, I’ve seen firsthand how life changing having the right support and a safe home can be.

Previously working for Shelter, helping people leaving prison, to find somewhere stable to live, to then working for YMCA North Tyneside, managing supported accommodation for those with complex needs, I’ve met so many individuals whose lives were transformed simply by having the right place to live.

I have developed housing projects and built partnerships that have made a real difference, but I’ve also seen where the gaps still are with a lack of quality move on accommodation.

These experiences have inspired me to help set up a new project, Housing 4 Good, that puts people at the centre, creating not just accommodation, but homes where people feel supported, valued and given the chance to move forward. I am genuinely excited about Housing 4 Good because I believe it has the potential to fill those gaps, reaching people who too often fall through the cracks in existing services.

Looking ahead, I know that Housing 4 Good will not only provide safe and supportive housing, but also open up new opportunities and give people hope for the future but also empower them to build stronger, more independent lives.”