If you’ve ever considered a career within the charity, mental health, or social care sectors, but unsure how to go about beginning your journey or what possible roles might be available, then we’ve got a fantastic interview here for you! Meet Monique James, who is one of our Housing Managers here at QVT, and is a great example of someone who has really risen through the ranks within our charity and carved out a brilliant career for herself.
Here, she shares how she began working at QVT, how she’s progressed her career with us, what her current role involves, and the ups and downs of working within mental health…
Hi Monique, what is your career background, and how long have you been working for QVT?
Before starting at QVT I was working part-time in the Health Care Sector whilst attending university studying Criminology. After finishing my studies, I wanted to start a career in the Metropolitan Police Force, but whilst going through the vetting process, a close friend of mine was diagnosed with Bipolar. During this time I started to support her, and became intrigued and I developed a passion for support others with their mental health.
I started to then apply for jobs in the mental health sector and came across QVT, I realised that they were looking for Supported Housing Officers. I applied and was successful, and started my new role in February 2018 at Verdant Lane 24-hour accommodation.
What has been your career path since starting with QVT? How has the charity enabled you to progress?
I started as a Housing Officer and within a year became the Interim Manager at Verdant Lane. QVT saw how passionate and eager I was to learn and support others with a mental illness, and because of this QVT supported me to start doing my Level 5 in Leadership and Management.
I was able to complete my course within a year while managing 22 medium to low clients and five staff members.
After completing my Level 5 a permanent Housing Manager job role came up in the Lewisham Community to oversee the new Care Leavers Project, and half of the mental health project as it was expanding. I started this role in March 2021.
During this time QVT kept on investing in my career by supporting me with additional training, coaching and mentoring. Currently, I am completing my Level 7 in Leadership & Management which I am looking to complete before September 2024.
What is your current role and what does it involve?
My current role is Housing Manager for Mental Health & Care Leavers Projects. My role consists of supporting over 70 clients over the age of 18 with supportive living. My role plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals with mental health challenges have access to safe, supportive, and stable housing environments.
I ensure that our properties comply with all relevant regulations and standards for safety, cleanliness, and accessibility. I work closely with mental health professionals and social workers to assess the needs of potential clients and determine appropriate housing and the level of service they require. This may involve conducting assessments, reviewing medical records, and collaborating with other agencies or organisations involved in the individual’s care.
I create individualised support plans with my team of housing officers for our clients to address their unique needs and goals. These plans may include access to mental health treatment, life skills training, vocational support, and community integration activities.
I coordinate services and resources to meet the needs of our clients, including mental health treatment, medication management and peer support. This involves collaborating with community organisations, healthcare providers, and government agencies.
I supervise a team of seven support staff and also bank workers. I provide training, guidance, and supervision to ensure that staff members effectively support our clients and always maintain a positive living environment.
In the event of a crisis or emergency, such as a mental health crisis, medical emergency, or behavioural disturbance, I am responsible for implementing appropriate protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of my clients. This is within working hours and outside of working hours when I am on call.
Furthermore, the biggest part of my role for me is to advocate for the rights and needs of all my clients. This may involve advocating for challenging stigma and discrimination and promoting policies that support individuals with mental illness.
Overall, I promote housing stability, community integration, and improved quality of life for all my clients with or without a mental health challenge. I work collaboratively with all clients, families, caregivers, and community partners to facilitate recovery and support holistic well-being.
Most rewarding part of your role/ best thing about working for QVT?
The most rewarding aspect of being a mental health housing manager is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with mental health challenges.
For example, witnessing a client make progress in their recovery journey, achieve their goals, and regain stability in their lives can be incredibly fulfilling. As a housing manager, we play a critical role in providing the support and resources necessary for our clients to thrive. Furthermore, building meaningful relationships with my clients, their families, and the broader community can be one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Being able to offer empathy, support, and encouragement to those in need creates lasting effects on both me and my clients.
The best thing about working for QVT is the people we are one we are a family. We all have the same goals and the support is always there from the Leadership Team.
Most challenging aspects of your role?
Working in the mental health sector can be immensely rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most challenging aspects so far trying to get additional support for a client who’s showing signs of being unwell. There are different mental health agencies involved and this can be time-consuming trying to get the client to be assessed, start treatment and get a mental health court order if they refuse.
As the Housing Manager I have to navigate the latter while advocating for the needs and safety of my clients, and this requires patience, persistence, and advocacy skills.
Has there been a most memorable moment in your job?
This is a hard question to answer as I have had so many memorable moments within QVT. However, one of the clients I worked with had been struggling with severe anxiety, making it incredibly challenging for him to leave his accommodation or engage in social activities. He had become increasingly isolated and dependent on support from staff for even basic tasks such as grocery shopping or attending appointments. We worked closely together to develop a personalised support plan that gradually exposed the client to situations outside their comfort zone in a safe and supportive manner. This included supporting them by getting a volunteer to accompany them on short walks around the neighbourhood, gradually increasing the distance and duration over time.
After several weeks of consistent encouragement and support, I vividly remember the moment when the resident expressed a desire to visit the supermarket independently. It was a significant milestone for him, representing a newfound sense of confidence and autonomy, he was happy and beaming from ear to ear with his smile.
This memorable moment might seem small to some however this highlighted the power of patience, persistence, and personalised support in helping our clients with mental health challenges overcome barriers and regain independence. It reinforced the importance of taking small steps towards recovery and celebrating every milestone along the way.
What advice would you give for an young person who might be thinking of a career in social care or mental health, and perhaps thinking of applying for a role within a charity like QVT?
For a young person considering a career in mental health, my advice will be to take the time to explore different aspects of mental health, including psychology, counselling, social work, psychiatry, and advocacy.
Cultivate empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity to effectively support individuals from diverse backgrounds who may be experiencing mental health challenges. Listen actively, validate experiences, and strive to understand each person’s unique perspective and needs.
You can find all of the above within QVT as an employee or a volunteer with our amazing engagement development team, so I would 100% encourage any young person who is thinking about applying for a role in QVT to take the step if you would like to work for an organisation that works with purpose and always uphold its values.
Thanks so much Monique for this insightful look into life and working at QVT!