Social value isn’t just an exercise to satisfy a tender, it makes a difference to those involved

Hi, my name is Paige Bettie and I have been a resident on West Kentish Town Estate for 15 years. I moved into my flat along with my daughter when she was 10 months old. I was born and raised in Queen’s crescent. Coming from multiple generations before me that were also born and raised here. Living in our area, like most, does not come without its challenges but what I can absolutely guarantee is our sense of community has never faded. My neighbours are like family. I have been so lucky to have them.

Like most people in our community, I am very much from a working-class family, working hard, doing any job just to make ends meet. This is when I found myself working as a catering assistant in the school kitchens for almost 10 years. I am not going to lie; I did not grow up aspiring to be a “dinner lady.” As a single parent of a then young primary school age child, I had to find a job where I could do the school runs and have all the holidays off. I was determined to be the best mum I could possibly be, like most parents, putting my daughter and her needs before my own. Over the ten years working in that job, I lost confidence in myself, I had no idea what I wanted to do in life when my daughter got older and was not so dependent on me anymore. To say I felt lost would be putting it lightly. Until one day I saw an advertisement for a trainee project manager role at Airey Miller in our estate newsletter. At first, naturally, I told myself there is no way I would get it. Having been on the steering group for the regeneration on our estate from the very beginning I had a clear understanding of the changes that were to begin on our estate and what that meant but I still did not think I would get the job, so naturally I talked myself out of applying.

Another day in the school kitchen. While it did have some good points, it is no understatement when I say that job left me physically drained and mentally unstimulated. As we were coming to the end of our shift my phone rang, it was one of our resident liaison officers Jamal. When I answered he asked me if I had seen the job advertisement in the estate newsletter. I said I had but was not going to apply. He seemed shocked at my answer, I explained to him that there is no way I would get that job (again my lack in self-confidence was in full swing that day). He was calm, relaxed, respectful, and reassuring. Ultimately by the end of the conversation, my mind did a complete 360 and I decided I should at least apply, what is the worst that can happen I told myself? I still had a job if I did not get it. My work colleagues (who are also my best friends) were right there with me. Saying I would be stupid if I did not apply for the job. We had always talked about life after the kitchen, but none of us ever had the confidence to go through with it and fully leave.

I went home and applied. We had to sign up to the Camden job hub, well that was a first, I had never heard of the Camden job hub before that day. Once I had signed up, I had a phone consultation with a member of their team a week later. After that phone conversation, I could not believe I had never heard of the Camden job hub before. The services they provide are amazing. They do everything from, sending you jobs tailored to your interests, CV writing and interview techniques plus many more. I wish I had heard of them sooner; it would have saved many years of being in a job I was unhappy in.

Airey Miller had also provided online training courses via Futurelearn to get us interview ready. I could not believe how much support was provided to us in the lead-up to the interview. It was almost as if, for the first time, all the stars aligned and fell into place. All I kept thinking was thank God Jamal rang me that day otherwise I would never have felt this feeling, a feeling of hopefulness for the future. I felt a change coming on and even if I had not got the position I so desperately wanted, I was determined that this would not be the end of my story, I was going to find a job where I could be happy, and the Camden job hub was going to be right there to help me.

Even with all the support leading up to the day of the interview, I was a complete mess. My nerves were out of control, and I felt my mind go blank. I arrived at the interview over an hour early and sat outside doing my breathing techniques, but it was no use, I had already convinced myself I would not get the job.

The interview went ok. It was not the best on my part due to my nerves, but I knew as soon as I walked into that office this was where I wanted to be. The people were so lovely, and kind and I was honest from the moment that I walked in that I was nervous (not that I needed to as they could clearly see I was) They said they would be in touch in about a week. That week felt like a lifetime. I was at work when I got the call. I could not believe they rang to tell me I got the job. I was over the moon. My work colleagues and I were jumping up and down, full of excitement. I had done it; I broke the pattern of behaviour. We had always talked about leaving, never having the confidence to fully do so. After that, they signed up to the job hub too. Also finding other jobs that they would find themselves happy in. It filled me with so much happiness. We were working mums, some of us single working mums, but we were determined to find happiness in our workplaces.

I have now been at Airey Miller for just over a year. And what a year it has been. I have felt my confidence grow. I am learning new skills every day. I get to work alongside some of the most amazing people from whom I am constantly learning from. The training that is provided is second to none. The encouragement to learn more and to grow will never go unnoticed from me and everyone is just so helpful. There is always someone to go to if you have a question and no question ever goes unanswered. The best advice I was told on day one by my work colleague Celia was, no question is a stupid question.

I could not imagine working anywhere else, my favourite part of the job has been working on Social Value. After all, my job role is a part of the social value on our estate. I am living proof that you can start again. That you can find your confidence again. You can go for jobs that you never thought you would ever get. The regeneration of our estate is not just knocking buildings down and making new homes. Although that is very much needed as unfortunately, we know all too well the problems we face with our living conditions on WKTE. It is equally as important to keep the community values we hold. So, we too grow. Providing new job opportunities and apprenticeships for people who would normally be at a disadvantage. Creating work experience placements to the local schools for the next generation. To inspire them, to give them hope that it does not matter where you come from, you can get the grades, you can go for these job opportunities.

I for one would not have the job I have now if it were not for the regeneration of our estate. Our resident liaison officers, the Camden job hub and last but certainly not least, Airey Miller. I will forever be grateful to all of you.

Paige Bettie, Trainee Project Manager