Jeni Harvey
Director of Communications and Marketing, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing
1 What do you do for fun?
When I’m not at work, I’m usually found running – hills, roads, trails, I love it all. Running is my happy place; where I feel most relaxed and free, and where I do most of my thinking.
2 You have the power to change one thing about the social housing sector: what would it be?
Resource! In my experience, there are so many committed, knowledgeable and talented people in social housing who want to drive forward real improvements – but the sticking point is always resource, whether that’s a lack of money, a lack of people with the capacity to deliver or, in most cases, both. It would be fantastic to see the differences we could make if we had the money and the time to do it.
3 What advice would you give to someone starting out in housing?
Don’t be daunted by the housing-speak. I’ve worked in a range of sectors, from local government through to universities and policing, and all of them have their own language that seems baffling at first (when I see SPF on suncream, for example, I always instinctively think of shared prosperity fund!). Ask what the acronyms mean, understand them, and then use that understanding to make sure you’re always being clear and concise with non-expert audiences.
4 Who’s your favourite author, and why?
It has to be Emily Bronte. Wuthering Heights is my absolute favourite novel and reminds me of the (wily, windy) moors of West Yorkshire near where I grew up. I have several copies and couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve read it, but a beautifully illustrated version my daughter bought me for Christmas is one of my most treasured possessions.
5 What is the strangest thing you’ve ever experienced?
It’s a long story involving running on the Pennine moors while very tired, at sunrise. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.
6 What are your three favourite albums?
Nick Cave – The Boatman’s Call
Pulp – Different Class
Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes
7 Proudest achievement?
I suspect I’m supposed to talk about awards and marathons and things here, but I wasn’t sure what to say so I asked my children. The 12-year-old said “your proudest achievement? Definitely me.” And the nine-year-old said “getting Eras tour tickets.” So, either of those are probably more accurate.
8 A world without music or a world without literature – and why?
Either world sounds pretty miserable! But – if pushed – I’d forgo literature before I gave up music. We can tell stories through music, but we can’t play music through the written word.
9 Favourite place in the world?
Latrigg, in the Lake District. I love to hike and run in the Lakes and Latrigg was the first fell for both of my children, who were both taken up there at a few weeks old. For a small hill it has incredible views, and the light up there at sunset is just magical.
10 Favourite food?
A Greek salad, on the beach (in Greece, naturally).
11 Most embarrassing moment?
As a junior reporter, I got a call from a highly amused senior Royal Navy officer who told me that the piece I’d written should have been about “ordnance”, not “ornaments.” I learned a lot about fact-checking that day.
12 You can resurrect anyone from history and talk to them for an hour: who, and why?
I’m sure this doesn’t count as “from history”, but my sister. I’d give anything for one last conversation.
13 Favourite film?
Probably Drive. I love Drive.
14 If you didn’t work in housing, what would you do?
The realistic answer: local or regional government.
The dream answer: yoga teacher
15 What makes for a good life?
Getting outdoors with the family. I’m never happier than when up a mountain with the people I love (even if at least two of them are moaning about me making them trek).
