Opening Doors into Housing: Hannah Welfoot's Work with Get into Housing
Access to housing is fundamental. Access to a career in housing should be too.
At Yolk Recruitment, our Principal Consultant for Social Housing, Hannah Welfoot, has been working closely with the Get into Housing programme at Cardiff Community Housing Association to help make that ambition a reality. For the past year, Hannah has delivered a two-hour employability workshop to every cohort on the scheme, with her next session marking her fourth delivery. The sessions now run roughly once a quarter, forming a consistent and valued part of the programme.
This isn’t a one-off initiative. It’s an ongoing commitment to building pathways into a sector that plays a critical role in supporting communities across Wales.
What is Get into Housing?
The Get into Housing scheme brings together a powerful partnership including Cadwyn Housing Association, Cardiff Community Housing Association, Hafod Housing, United Welsh, Linc Cymru, Wales & West Housing, Taff Housing Association, the Welsh Government, and Principality Building Society.
The programme offers paid 16-week placements of 21 hours per week across a range of housing departments. Participants must be aged 18 or over, identify from an ethnically diverse background and be experiencing long-term unemployment.
Crucially, these placements are paid at the Real Living Wage, currently £12 per hour, and are supported by bespoke mentoring throughout and beyond the placement. Participants gain practical, on-the-job experience while building a longer-term plan for sustainable employment.
It’s a programme built on access, inclusion and progression.
Hannah’s Role
As part of each cohort’s journey, Hannah delivers a two-hour employability workshop focused on preparing participants to compete confidently in the job market.
But this is about far more than CV writing or interview technique.
Hannah’s sessions are centred around empowerment. She helps participants recognise their value, understand how their existing skills translate into housing careers, and build the confidence to articulate that value. For many, this is the first time they have been encouraged to see themselves as viable candidates for professional roles within a sector that may previously have felt out of reach.
Her motivation is clear.
Hannah believes housing should be accessible not just as a service, but as a career. She’s passionate about opening doors, breaking down barriers and creating meaningful pathways into an industry that depends on diverse perspectives to serve diverse communities.
In housing, representation matters. Understanding the lived experiences of different communities strengthens service delivery, decision-making and trust. By supporting individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds into the sector, the programme helps build a workforce that better reflects the communities it serves
Why this work matters
Long-term unemployment can erode confidence as much as it affects income. Barriers to entry, whether structural or perceived, can feel overwhelming.
Hannah’s workshops provide more than employability advice. They provide reassurance, structure and a sense of possibility.
Participants leave with:
Greater confidence in their personal strengths
A clearer understanding of career pathways within housing
Practical tools to navigate applications and interviews
A stronger belief that they belong in the sector
For some, the workshop is a turning point. For others, it’s the reinforcement they need to take the next step. Either way, it contributes to a wider mission of sustainable employment and long-term success.
Creating pathways, not just placements
The true impact of Get into Housing lies in its holistic approach. Paid placements, mentoring, partnerships across leading housing organisations, and structured employability support create a joined-up pathway rather than a short-term intervention.
Hannah’s continued involvement reflects a shared belief that recruitment should be about more than just filling vacancies, but about connecting talent with meaningful careers and building a sector fit for the future.
For Hannah, this work is personal as well as professional. It aligns with her values around inclusion, representation and opportunity. For the individuals she supports, it represents access, dignity and progression.
And for the housing sector in Wales, it strengthens the talent pipeline at a time when attracting diverse, skilled professionals has never been more important.
If you would like to learn more about the Get into Housing programme, visit the Cardiff Community Housing Association website.
Ready to start? Or are you ready to progress your career in Social Housing?
If you are looking to start a career in the social housing sector, or you are ready to take your social housing career to the next level, we would love to hear from you.
You can speak directly to Hannah to discuss your goals, explore opportunities and gain honest, practical advice on your next move.
Alternatively, you can view our latest Social Housing vacancies and see where your career could take you next.