Lewisham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Felicity, a 34-year-old single mum from Lewisham, is breaking barriers as a maintenance supervisor in the trades industry, inspiring a new generation of women.
Despite having no prior experience, she joined L&Q as a maintenance planner and is now inspiring other women to follow in her footsteps.
Felicity said:
“The repairs and maintenance industry is a very male-oriented environment.
That was intimidating at the start, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be taken seriously.”
On the other hand, her coworkers immediately embraced her.
She was promoted to maintenance supervisor just two years after joining L&Q, and she currently oversees a group of thirty male workers.
Felicity said:
“For my son to see me in charge is a great feeling.
I want to be an inspiration to him.”
Felicity balances a variety of duties in her position, such as planning the workload for her team and making sure resources are distributed efficiently.
She also checks finished work to make sure residents’ demands are met and criteria are fulfilled.
As she supports and mentors her team, people management is central to her work.
Her path has been extremely personal in addition to being about developing her technical abilities and team leadership abilities.
Felicity struggled with imposter syndrome and wondered if she really belonged in the trades, as do many women who enter male-dominated jobs.
She said:
“I didn’t have confidence in who I was, who I could be, what my potential was about.”
Her turning point came from two sources: her achievements and the support of her managers.
Felicity said:
“My manager at the time called me after my interview for the supervisor role.
I told her I wasn’t sure about the outcome, but that regardless, I was proud of myself for how I’d done.
She said,
“If you don’t get it, I’m going to push you to go for more opportunities and make sure you keep adding to your skillset.’”
This encouragement, coupled with her growing expertise, proved transformative.
Felicity said:
“Guiding the operatives, I picked up so much and fed off the energy and information that was given to me.
There’s no limit to what I can do.”
Felicity is determined to change perceptions of the trades industry, especially for women.
She said:
“When I was young, women were encouraged to go for childcare or hairdressing apprenticeships.”
She wants others to see trades as a viable option, offering skills that last a lifetime.
She said:
“If you can plumb, you can plumb forever.
If you can plaster, you can plaster forever.
These are skills that you’ll carry with you, and they’ll stand the test of time.”
For Felicity, the appeal of her career lies in its rewards and stability.
She said:
“The most rewarding part of my role is seeing residents satisfied once the job is complete.
When we solve a problem and provide them with peace of mind, I know we’re doing something right.”
Another significant advantage is the work-life balance.
Being a single mother of a 13-year-old kid, she find that a 9–5 schedule works well for family life.
She said:
“It’s wonderful working 9-5pm.
There are no shifts, and I’m able to spend my evenings and weekends with my son.”
Reflecting on her journey, Felicity has an empowering message for women considering a role in the trades:
“I’ve gone from working 40+ hours a week on £16k to finding a job that I enjoy, am good at, and pays well.
At the pub, I was overlooked for a promotion because I couldn’t work overtime.
Here, I’ve been recognised for my hard work and championed at every opportunity.”
She urges women to lean into their potential, even when self-doubt creeps in.
She said:
“If I could go back and give advice to my younger self, I’d say: I can do anything I put my mind to.
I’m powerful and I can achieve great things.”
Lewisham places a high priority on fostering relationships and community development. Felicity’s maintenance efforts could potentially improve living conditions and communal areas by interacting with larger community development projects.
How does Felicity’s work impact the community in Lewisham?
Felicity is a role model for other women who are thinking about pursuing jobs in maintenance or trades because she is a female maintenance supervisor in an area that has historically been dominated by men.
According to Lewisham Council’s 2023 Social Value Impact report, local collaborations and procurement have a major positive impact on the community. Felicity’s job as a member of L&Q’s maintenance crew probably helps Lewisham create more social value.
In social housing, maintenance is essential to helping the most vulnerable people.
Felicity may be responsible for making sure that homes are secure and kept up, which is crucial considering the growing cost of living and the growing number of Lewisham households experiencing financial issues.
The maintenance industry boosts jobs and the local economy. Felicity’s employment as a supervisor probably helps the community’s job and skill development, which is in line with Lewisham’s initiatives to give locals training chances and jobs.