Seeing My Experience Through a New Lens

When I was first encouraged to apply for the Housing LIN Future Leaders Programme, my initial reaction was simple: Future leader? Me? With more working years behind me than ahead, I wasn’t convinced I fit the profile. I had always imagined leadership programmes were designed for people earlier in their careers—the upcoming, not the already‑established.

But I also knew something equally important: opportunities rarely appear by accident. When one arrives, it deserves serious thought. You never know when—or if—the next one will come along. And I’m not someone who shies away from a challenge. So I applied. I was accepted. And what unfolded has been an enriching, enlightening, and empowering experience.

It has been enriching in so many ways. The programme brought together inspirational speakers who generously shared their journeys, key insights, and approach to leadership. Their honesty and openness led me to reflect on my own experiences and career pathway. The members of my cohort were equally fascinating, all from different organisations and backgrounds, sharing perspectives and career choices, with the common bond of caring about social housing and, most importantly to me, the residents and communities. Learning alongside them has broadened my understanding about leadership and the social housing sector, which I am relatively new to.

Reflecting on the session content and the people I’ve connected with has also been enlightening. Before joining the programme, I hadn’t truly paused to consider my own career. I began my working life with ambition and momentum, but family commitments meant I pressed pause—or so I believed. In reality, I hadn’t paused at all. During those years, I helped establish a grassroots charity with an inspirational group of women who have since become close friends and confidants. As trustees, we led the organisation’s work, shaped its direction, and I even chaired it for a time. Yet until this programme, I had always taken that experience for granted, as if it “didn’t count”. The Future Leaders Programme helped me recognise and value this time and I would thoroughly recommend others to explore local trusteeship opportunities as an entryway to developing leadership skills and attributes.

Finally, through the programme I feel much more empowered. The space to learn and reflect has helped me recognise the value and relevance of my experiences. This understanding has strengthened my confidence and self‑belief, and I now feel better equipped to lead my team with clarity and purpose.

I may not have imagined myself a “future leader” when I applied, but the programme has helped me realise that leadership doesn’t belong to a particular age, job title, or personality type. It belongs to those willing to learn, reflect, grow, and bring the full weight of their lived experience to the table.

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Anita's blog is one of many by members of the 5th cohort of Housing LIN’s Future Leaders Programme who have agreed to share what they learned on the 2025/26 programme. We are excited to publish these ahead of recruiting for the 2026/27 intake onto our Future Leaders programme, sponsored by SNG.

And, if you found this of interest, do check out the other blogs in this series along with the TikTok videos being recorded.