Emma Mayhew

Emma is responsible for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness and impact of our “Common Ground Project” and delivers communications and PR services to the project.

1. How long have you been with NIFHA?
I started in December, so eight months now.

2. Describe what your job involves.
I’m working on our PEACEPLUS-funded project ‘Common Ground’, dealing with communications, monitoring and evaluation. Essentially, I’m responsible for communicating our progress, keeping track of outputs, and measuring the impact of the project.

3. What do you like most about your job?
There’s a lot I like about my job! I like that it varies day to day. I find getting into the data really interesting and building a story around it. I like that it has both organisational and creative aspects too. I really like working with our partners and the team here at NIFHA.

4. What’s one challenge facing the housing sector you think more people should understand?
Creating community, as opposed to just housing infrastructure. Building houses isn’t only about buildings, professionals are often wondering how to create sustainable communities and making efforts for this to come to life. This isn’t an easy task, but it’s a very meaningful one. It means neighbours know and trust each other, and that neighbourhoods have amenities and are connected to the wider area. These come with physical and socio-cultural challenges.

5. Describe NIFHA in 3 words.
Helpful. Supportive. Community-focused.

6. What did you want to be when growing up?
So many different things! Some I can think of include: interior designer, movie editor, photographer, psychologist, community worker.

7. What’s your favourite place in Northern Ireland?
Since I moved up in December, I haven’t had the chance to explore as many places as I’d like, but I really enjoyed a trip up to the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, beautiful scenery and great walks up there!

8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like watching documentaries (mostly true crime!) and series, seeing friends and family, going out to eat, standup comedy, and travelling whenever I get the chance!

9. What advice would you give someone considering a career in the housing sector?
The housing sector would be a good fit for anyone looking to create a social impact. There’s such a huge variety of roles, and I think there’s something for everyone! A lot of people in the sector stay for their entire careers, which I think says a lot. It’s a promising career path, I’d say go for it!

10. What’s one thing you’d like people to know about NIFHA that they might not already know?
NIFHA supports community integration work through the PEACEPLUS Common Ground project. This brings people together through a range of activities and trainings using housing-led programmes to build peace, inclusion, and mutual understanding across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties.

Housing matters to Emma because…

Housing matters to me because it’s people’s primary place of security and belonging, and getting to be a part of creating communities is very meaningful work.