The last word

By Victoria Slade, Group Chief Executive, Cynon Taf Community Housing (Chief Executive at Guernsey Housing Association from October)

As a relative newcomer to Wales of 11 years, I’m probably not yet qualified to explain all of the reasons why it’s a superior place to live and work.

But if you asked me and wanted more than a one-sided discussion about Wales having the best flag in the world, I’d say this: it’s got some serious history, culture and values; a beautiful and ancient language; revolutionary history, not just industrial, but social justice (think Merthyr Rising and the Chartists); birthplace of the NHS; the beauty of the national parks, mountains and beaches; it has five areas of outstanding natural beauty, and Barry Island.

Wales is vibrant, with a strong identity, and, more than anything else, community means something here.

So, if you’ve been lucky enough to settle in this glorious country, working in housing under a Welsh Labour government that thinks housing policy should benefit people, rather than punish them, why would you ever leave?

That’s the point of this article. It’s a good question. I’m a couple of months away from leaving all those things that I love, as well as an organisation I love working for, to start anew.

Well, sometimes life throws you an opportunity. For me, it’s Guernsey-shaped. An island of 25 square miles in the English Channel, closer to France than the UK. It conjures images of beautiful beaches and nature, but also of wealth. Big houses, enormous swimming pools. You see them on the flight over*. Some are visible from the ISS. But that’s not the whole story and it’s not the why.

The beauty is undeniable, but the wealth isn’t a reality for most. The housing market is hotter than wearing all your jumpers at once in a carbon-driven heatwave. For many islanders, purchasing or renting a home in the local market is out of reach. Think of London housing costs, then some.

Younger people are leaving the island, and people coming back to their communities after the pandemic are struggling to find homes they can afford. Add in the difficulty of retaining key skills and it’s obvious why affordable housing is critical for securing a sustainable future for the island.

The complexities are a definite draw. But, despite the challenges, the proximity to government and willingness to find shared solutions, as in Wales, is a real strength.

There are so many similarities to the things that I love about Wales. Guernsey has a proud and fascinating history, a powerful sense of identity, and vibrant and connected communities.

It, too, has a beautiful and old language, Guernesiase. There’s also an Eisteddfod. It has some beautiful quirks. No milk other than from the Guernsey herd and a 30mph speed limit, with reliance on civility at junctions rather than traffic lights.

Hard as it is to say hwyl fawr to Wales and the lovely Cynon Taf Community Housing Group, this is an opportunity I can’t pass up. Victor Hugo, exiled from France, called Guernsey the “rock of hospitality and freedom”. Life’s too short. And Guernsey also has a pretty cool flag.

*Minimal flights offset by carbon-reducing lifestyle adjustments