I first started working with BCHA as a student on placement in 2017. I wrote my dissertation for my degree in Youth and Community Work on George House, a BCHA scheme in Plymouth, so having this direct experience was invaluable. During my placement I realised this line of work aligned with my passions, so quit my job in the care industry and was officially employed with BCHA in May of 2018.
I now work as a Housing Officer across the city of Plymouth as part of the Housing Team, which has recently been restructured under BCHA’s Housing Transformation Programme.
Within the team we all do a similar role, but we work with different customer groups, from supported accommodation to general needs. I work closely with the Families Team, helping to move families into temporary accommodation. I am so thankful for my colleagues, we work so well together and are all able to step up if someone is on annual leave.
Prior to the Housing Transformation Restructure, I gained experience acting as line-manager for our team. This was something I really enjoyed, especially being able to motivate others. I’d love to be able to progress my career within BCHA.
The journey of a family facing homelessness can be very complex. Usually, a family will present themselves to the council as homeless before being housed in a hotel. This can be really challenging for those who potentially have had to move away from their children’s school or their support network. After they have been assessed by our team and are ready for temporary accommodation, we sign them up and help them settle into their new home.
Families are usually over the moon to be moved into temporary accommodation. It means more privacy and access to better facilities – most hotels don’t have cooking equipment so families can end up living on fast food and takeaways. Being able to cook a family meal and eat around a table is something that families are always grateful for.
I’m proud to work for BCHA and it’s great to know that other services within our community are there to help people in crisis when they need it the most.
As a Housing Officer, our relationship with customers doesn’t end once they’ve moved into their home. We see them regularly and visit them at their properties to make sure they are settling in and aren’t having any issues. I get to interact with customer groups from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Some customers show us a great deal of hospitality when we visit, preparing homemade cakes and breads with traditional teas for us when we visit. This always feels so special and their effort means so much to me.
Alongside completing accommodation sign-ups, I complete regular health and safety visits across my patch. I also help my customers with administrative tasks, ensuring that they are accessing their entitled benefits and reporting any maintenance issues. BCHA work collaboratively with independent landlords and commercial agents, so it is always very busy! I also work as part of the Relief Team, covering services that may have staff absences, so I get to interact with different customer groups which helps me learn new skills.
Seeing our customers leave temporary accommodation and move onto their forever homes after I’ve stood side by side with them throughout their journey gives me great job satisfaction. I’m proud that BCHA offer a good standard of housing, and it’s fulfilling to be able to see families feel settled.
I love talking about where I work – we provide support and safety to those who are experiencing an extremely turbulent and vulnerable time in their lives.
Advocating for our customers and providing inclusive housing is at the centre of what we do every day. My team and I live and breathe the BCHA values and strive to give our customers safe and comfortable homes to allow them to thrive and work towards regaining permanent housing within our community. I have learned that you can never have an idea of what homelessness looks like. Homelessness can affect anyone at any time, from any background or culture.
I feel incredibly proud to work for BCHA, knowing we provide safety and support to people during an extremely turbulent and vulnerable time in their lives. My team and I strive to deliver a housing service that truly makes a difference.
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