Goodbye from Executive Director Mary D’Arcy

You have truly been an inspiration! Your passion for your communities and the places in which you live will stay with me for a very long time.  

I joined the council on 23 March 2020, and it is probably fair to say that the experience of my role has not been what I expected! I had anticipated spending the first few weeks meeting residents and community groups, getting to know the city, learning what we did well and what we could improve. Instead, I had a masterclass, at speed, on what Southampton is really all about, because when it came to a crisis – and the Covid-19 pandemic was certainly that – the city stepped up in ways none of us could imagine.

Initially, I learned about how our tenants were supporting each other through the pandemic from our teams, who rapidly moved the tenant engagement sessions online, and our Housing Operations teams who were delivering food parcels and carrying out essential repairs, and our Neighbourhood Wardens and cleaners, who throughout the pandemic continued to provide a visible presence and support where needed. And then as we began to get used to the new digital world, I met many of you at our first online conference in the winter of 2020 and it has been wonderful to meet so many of you in the months since, both in person and online.   

The two in-person conferences that I have been able to attend, curated and hosted by you, with the Tenant Engagement Team support, have been inspirational. Having the privilege of announcing and giving out the Stars in Our Communities awards last year, is without a doubt one of the highlights of my time in the city, and the variety of fantastic shoes on display was a real treat!

I know there is so much more that we can do together and the forensic, professional approach of the tenant groups on issues such as stigma and resources, are critical to us all making the improvements needed for the long term. There will however always be challenges. Just when we thought things really could not get worse, there is war in Europe and a cost of living crisis that is I know affecting so many of you. But I am heartened by the fact that the resident groups in Southampton have tenacity, pride and perseverance and will continue to work with the officers of the city council to achieve your shared ambitions for the city.

From January 2023, the council will have a new Executive Director for Adults Wellbeing and Housing, Claire Edgar, and in the months ahead a new Director of Housing, yet to be appointed.

Thank you for welcoming me to the city and for the many inspiring conversations I have had. I will carry them with me going forward.

I send you my very best wishes for the future.