Behind Every Home: Evie Copland launches new CIH presidential campaign

Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) president Evie Copland has launched Behind Every Home, her presidential campaign showcasing the real impact of housing professionals across the UK and Ireland.

Evie, executive director of customer and communities at Berwickshire Housing Association, officially took up the role of CIH president at the organisation's AGM on Tuesday 6 October.

Over the next year Evie’s campaign, Behind Every Home, will use storytelling to challenge perceptions, strengthen professional identity, and celebrate the people in the housing sector who work every day to improve lives and communities.

Commenting on the launch of her campaign, Evie said: “A housing professional can make more of a difference in one day, than many other careers make in a whole lifetime. Across our sector, that impact is being delivered every day, in communities across the UK and Ireland.

“My campaign goal is simple; I want to provide a platform to recognise the amazing and varied professionals behind every home. Using people’s stories build a stronger, more visible understanding of the housing profession and showcase the true impact of careers in housing across the UK and Ireland.”

Through the themes of people, professionalism and impact, the campaign will include day-in-the-life features, short videos and case studies, as well as spotlights on different roles, organisations, places and career journeys. The campaign is designed to inspire people considering careers in housing, as well as those who are established in the sector, encouraging people at every stage of their professional journey to reflect on their experience, share their knowledge and be an ambassador for the housing profession.

Gavin Smart, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, welcomed Evie’s campaign, commenting: "As housing professionals and organisations we know that by collaborating across the sector we can learn from each other to inspire and innovate. Evie’s presidential campaign provides an important storytelling platform for professionals at every level to share, learn, connect and celebrate the professionalism demonstrated every day in communities across the UK and Ireland. Using these stories, we can strengthen our professional identity while highlighting the meaningful impact our members and careers in housing have."

During Evie’s presidential year she’ll be raising funds and awareness of Social Bite, a charity and social enterprise with a mission to end homelessness.

Discussing her choice of charity, Evie added: “Ending homelessness is a shared ambition across the housing profession. Social Bite started life as a café centred around an ethos of paying it forward. Their cafés still run today in multiple locations across the UK, feeding hundreds of homeless people every week. Social Bite helps people experiencing homelessness access food, homes and jobs. Their work has real impact and is another great example of the people and professionalism behind every home.”

Tickets for Evie’s Presidential Address and Appeal, in aid of Social Bite, will be open for bookings soon via the CIH website. Contact us to find out more.

As well as fundraising, Evie will volunteer her time to make a difference in the local community at each of CIH’s events. Members can find out more through their regional groups.

To get involved and find out more about Evie’s campaign visit, Behind Every Home.