Our Homegrown Heroes series shines a light on colleagues who are growing their careers at Plymouth Community Homes, developing their skills, exploring new opportunities, and making the most of everything PCH has to offer.
Our latest Homegrown Hero is Jacoba Ballantine, whose journey so far is a great example of how curiosity, confidence and support can open unexpected doors.
When Jacoba joined Plymouth Community Homes in July 2023 as an apprentice, she was at the start of her career journey and still exploring where her strengths and interests might lead. Coming from a retail background, she began her role as a Repairs Assistant while studying for her Business Administration Level 3 qualification. Stepping into a new sector could have felt daunting, but for Jacoba, it quickly became an opportunity to grow.
Reflecting on those early days, she said:
“I was coming from a completely different background, so everything felt new, but I was really supported from the start and that helped me build my confidence.”
With regular check-ins from her manager Ryan Coles, and encouragement from the Learning and Development team, Jacoba was able to make the most of every opportunity and continue developing her skills.
Keen to broaden her experience, Jacoba later moved into a HR Assistant role to continue her apprenticeship. This gave her the chance to gain insight into a different area of the organisation while completing her 18-month qualification, which she finished in March 2025.
Looking back on that period, she said:
“I wasn’t fully sure what direction I wanted to go in, so being able to try something different in HR really helped me learn more about what I enjoy.”
During her time in HR, Jacoba also developed a strong understanding of the importance of confidentiality and effective communication, gaining valuable experience in knowing when sensitivity and professionalism are key.
One of the most valuable parts of Jacoba’s journey has been the opportunity to explore different career paths. Having completed her GCSEs during Covid without the traditional exam experience, she wasn’t certain what direction to take, but her time at PCH helped open new doors.
“PCH has given me the chance to figure things out and try different roles, which I don’t think I would have had elsewhere.” she explained.
In March 2026, Jacoba embraced another new challenge by taking a secondment into the Strategy, Data & Insight team as a Data Quality Analyst. Since then, she has been building her skills in data and analytics, gaining hands-on experience and confidence in a completely new area.
She said: “I’ve really enjoyed moving into the data side of things. I’m learning a lot and it’s been great to work on my own independent projects.”
Through her roles at PCH, Jacoba has also developed strong self-independence, particularly through managing her own workload and working from home. Along the way, she has gained experience with a wide range of systems, from financial platforms such as Ebis to operational repairs systems, building a well-rounded skillset across the organisation.
As well as the professional development, Jacoba values the culture at PCH:
“PCH feels like a big family. Having worked across different teams, I feel like there are always people rooting for me and happy to chat about what I’ve been up to even if I don’t work with them anymore.”
Today, Jacoba is continuing to learn, develop, and explore. While she is still shaping her long-term career path, she is confident about what lies ahead.
“I’m not exactly sure where my career will take me, but I know there are so many opportunities at PCH to keep learning and developing.” she said.
In just under three years at PCH, Jacoba has already progressed from Apprentice Repairs Assistant, HR Assistant, and now Data Quality Analyst - building skills, confidence, and experience along the way. Her journey is a great example of how being open to new experiences, and being supported along the way, can lead to exciting opportunities.
Thank you Jacoba for sharing your journey with us - we look forward to seeing where your career takes you next.
