Housing professionals from across the country swapped their offices for the classroom as pupils at Monksdown Primary School took charge of a special Discover Housing event.
From the moment guests arrived, the children set the tone. They opened the session with a lively Q&A with Peabody Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Elly Hoult, asking thoughtful questions about the importance of social housing and the different jobs that help communities thrive. Their confidence and curiosity showed exactly why early careers‑led learning matters.
After the Q&A, pupils guided visitors through hands‑on activities from Positive Footprints’ aspirations‑based learning programmes. Housing professionals found themselves imagining, problem‑solving and reflecting, gaining a real insight into how the programme helps young people explore their strengths and future possibilities.
The event formed part of our Discover Housing campaign, which aims to reach 10,000 children nationally and open their eyes to the huge range of careers within the housing sector. The campaign builds on our growing impact: in 2024–25, more than 11,500 children took part in programmes across 275 schools, generating over £7 million in social value.
More than twenty housing organisations have already joined the movement, supporting primary schools in their communities for two years and helping to embed careers‑led learning into the curriculum. With backing from the Chartered Institute of Housing and the National Housing Federation, the campaign is set to grow even further.
After the classroom activities, housing professionals continued the conversation at a roundtable event, exploring how the sector can create more opportunities for children and young people in their neighbourhoods.
Lesley Burrows, Founder and Managing Director of Positive Footprints and Executive Director at The Regenda Group, said:
“Our vision at Positive Footprints is to help children and young people build brighter futures. A warm, safe home is the foundation of a healthy, happy life, which is why housing partners are so well placed to create opportunities where they’re needed most.
“Aspirations form early and are shaped by circumstance. Many children in our communities face disadvantage, and while the sector already invests heavily in employment and skills support, Discover Housing strengthens this commitment by starting the journey sooner to improve outcomes in life, learning, and work.
“During the roundtable, we discussed ways we can collaborate across the sector to inspire the next generation, boost social mobility, and showcase housing as a career of choice. Together, we can nurture the future leaders and change‑makers our neighbourhoods and workplaces need.”
Get involved:
We’re calling on housing organisations to join us in shaping brighter futures. Together, we can unlock children’s self-belief and potential and highlight housing as a career of choice.
To find out more please fill in our enquiry form or book a meeting with our Partnerships Lead, Ben.