(From a Housing Officer’s point of view)
This was an exciting time for me. I was 6 months into my new role with Care Housing Association (Care) and this was the first new scheme that I was being handed over to me. It was interesting to see all the different elements of a new scheme that our new business team had to consider and to see how complex the project was, especially as this one included creating a large house from two flats for the incoming residents.
I enjoyed the process from arranging all the paperwork to setting up the properties and tenants on our systems, then liaising with relevant persons for tenancy signings and assessments to help apply for housing benefit, where applicable. When it came to meeting the new tenants, it was clear that everything was shiny and new to them and there was some adjusting to be done. But all tenants and support staff on site were lovely to meet and very friendly.
In the six months since the tenancies started there has been lots happening, including making friends with the new neighbours and street parties for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. In that time I have answered queries, followed up repairs requests and begun to build the relationships with these lovely people and the support team from Mencap in Kirklees (MiK) who are clearly dedicated in their role and are very much involved in the tenants’ lives – providing the right amount of support tailored to the individual needs of each person and doing this well.
John, one of our tenants said of his new home; “At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like living in my new house as I had lived at my last home for a very long period of time. But after a few days, I started enjoying living in my new home and instantly started to take pride in my house by making sure it was kept tidy. I really enjoy doing my own washing, preparing my own meals and tidying my garden.
I love my bedroom as i have a nice quiet place to do my artwork. My key worker Katie supported me to make my bedroom personalised to me with the things I like.
Since living at here my confidence has grown so much and I feel more comfortable in going to new places and trying new things. I love going into my local community to visit home bargains and Greggs. I have built positive relationships with the staff who work in these shops which makes me feel at ease whenever I visit. I have also started going to the local library to learn how to use the computers.
I have also built a positive relationship with our local PCSO who comes to visit me for a cup of tea and a chat.”
Jackie, another one of our tenants said; “I did feel a bit sad at first when I moved from my last home, but I am really happy in here my new home now.
I love that my bedroom is on the ground floor so that I can move around easily and maintain my independence.
I really like having 1:1 time with staff doing the things I enjoy the most like bingo and art groups. I’m also enjoying accessing different events in my local community.
One of my favourite things about moving to my new home is that I can be more independent. The staff support me to cook and prepare meals for myself and do my own laundry which I really enjoy doing.”
Care complete at least 4 property inspections every year and on this scheme this has already evolved to inspections followed by a Tenants Meeting. This is so that the tenants can talk to me as their Housing Officer, raise requests, or ask questions for me to explain to them and in turn I can help celebrate the efforts of each person who has been a great tenant in terms of maintaining a super well-kept home and room. It’s a joy to be part of this scheme and is one of my favourite places to visit.
Claire Atkinson, Housing Officer
