As our Depute CEO and Senior Housing Options Broker Olivia Lindsay steps down to take up an exciting new role, she reflects on ten years with Housing Options Scotland and how she’s seen the organisation grow and respond to tough times and uncertainty.
Looking back on the past ten years at Housing Options Scotland, it’s hard to believe how much has changed. When I first started, we were a much smaller team, and while the work always mattered, the scale of what we do now is on a completely different level. We’ve grown so much. Not just in size, but in the number of people we’re able to support and the range of services we offer. It’s been really special to be part of that journey.
As the team has grown, so has the demand for what we do. There have definitely been times when things have felt tough and uncertain. But what’s always stood out to me is how the organisation has responded – with determination, creativity, and a real commitment to helping people, no matter how complex their situation. Being part of that, and seeing how we’ve adapted and kept going, is something I’m really proud of.
My time at HOS means a great deal to me. I’ve learned so much, not just about housing, but about people, patience, and the importance of really listening. It’s challenged me at times, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect when I first started.
My biggest achievement isn’t one single, defining moment, it’s a collection of smaller ones. The everyday interactions, the times we’ve been able to support someone through a difficult situation, and the moments where things have worked out better than we ever could have expected. Those are the things that will stay with me.
As I get ready to move on to a new role, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and of course sadness. Housing Options Scotland has been such a big part of my life for the past decade, and it’s not easy to leave that behind. But I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve experienced here, the people I’ve worked with, the challenges we’ve faced, and the difference we’ve made.