I am a career changer with a strong background in social housing and property management, bringing over 20 years of professional experience in customer service, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and working with digital systems. As a freelance web developer, I design, build, and maintain responsive websites and applications for clients, focusing on user-centered design, accessible interfaces, and collaborative agile delivery.

Sarah Collins

I am a career changer with a strong background in social housing and property management, bringing over 20 years of professional experience in customer service, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and working with digital systems. As a freelance web developer, I design, build, and maintain responsive websites and applications for clients, focusing on user-centered design, accessible interfaces, and collaborative agile delivery.

Available to hire

I am a career changer with a strong background in social housing and property management, bringing over 20 years of professional experience in customer service, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and working with digital systems.

As a freelance web developer, I design, build, and maintain responsive websites and applications for clients, focusing on user-centered design, accessible interfaces, and collaborative agile delivery.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Customer Service Advisor at First Choice Homes
March 1, 2018 - December 1, 2022
Acted as an escalation point for complex, high-priority customer issues, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot and resolve edge cases. Mentored and supported junior team members, fostering a collaborative environment and sharing best practices for efficient query resolution. Identified bottlenecks in existing customer service workflows and provided feedback to management to streamline processes and improve service delivery times.
Property Manager at Northern Counties
February 1, 2011 - February 1, 2015
Managed a large, complex portfolio of properties, requiring meticulous organizational skills and the ability to prioritise competing, time-sensitive demands. Acted as central point of contact between tenants, contractors, and internal stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and timely maintenance and compliance. Identified bottlenecks in processes and proactively implemented solutions to minimise disruptions and improve overall tenant experience.
Freelance Web Developer at Self-employed
January 1, 2025 - Present
Delivered websites and web applications for small business clients, guiding full development lifecycle from requirements to deployment. Built responsive pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; translated client goals into technical specs; designed user-friendly layouts with mobile compatibility. Used Git and GitHub to manage code and collaborate in an agile environment. Conducted cross-browser testing and debugging to ensure consistent layouts and reliable functionality. Updated content and provided practical digital solutions to improve client web presence. Managed projects from concept to completion and applied problem-solving to fix bugs and improve user experience.
Rent Officer at Regenda Housing
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2025
Managed rental accounts and collected payments accurately and on time. Resolved rent arrears and set up repayment plans with tenants. Produced rent collection reports and maintained records in housing systems. Worked with teams and agencies to support tenants. Attended court hearings regarding rent arrears.
Senior Customer Service Advisor at Regenda Housing
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2022
Handled resident queries and complaints. Supervised junior staff. Coordinated with teams to resolve resident issues. Improved service delivery and resident satisfaction. Followed GDPR, safeguarding and confidentiality procedures when handling sensitive information.
Property Manager at Camelot Property Management
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2014
Managed a portfolio of residential properties; coordinated property maintenance, inspections, and compliance with health and safety regulations. Conducted viewings, prepared tenancy agreements, and facilitated smooth move-in/move-out processes. Monitored rent payments and handled deposit returns; resolved tenancy disputes.
Customer Service Advisor at Northern Counties Housing
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2017
Supported tenants with enquiries about tenancy, repairs, and rent. Maintained records and processed tenancy applications. Used CRM and housing systems to manage cases. Collaborated with colleagues and partner agencies to deliver effective outcomes for residents.

Education

Level 5 Diploma in Web Application Development at Code Institute - Dublin, Ireland
January 11, 2030 - June 6, 2026
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science at Harvard University (edX)
January 11, 2030 - June 6, 2026
Full Stack Foundations at The Odin Project
January 11, 2030 - June 6, 2026
Diploma Level 5 in Web Development at The Code Institute
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
NVQ 3 - Business Administration at Oldham Training Center
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2004

Qualifications

NVQ 3
January 11, 2030 - June 6, 2026
GCSEs - Grade A-C
January 11, 2030 - June 11, 2026
GCSEs - Grade A-C
January 11, 2030 - June 11, 2026

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Professional Services, Real Estate & Construction, Media & Entertainment
    Haven Interior Studio Wbsite
    A clean and elegant interior design website created for a luxury home styling brand. The design focuses on calm neutral colours, beautiful lifestyle imagery, service sections, and project previews to communicate trust, creativity, and high-end design quality.
    Aurora Digital Agency Website
    A modern digital agency homepage designed to showcase web design, branding, marketing, and development services. The layout uses a bold hero section, clear call-to-action buttons, service cards, featured project previews, and a professional footer to create a strong first impression for potential clients.