Our scheme managers play a crucial role in making sure that our customers have not just a place to live, but a home where they can thrive. This story shows how our colleagues go above and beyond to make this happen.
Scheme managers oversee the entire customer experience on our schemes, from property viewings to tenancy management and connecting customers with support services when required. Building strong relationships with our customers and the people they live with is central to our approach, ensuring that our services align with their needs.
We’ve hidden our customer’s name to protect their identity.
Mr X came to Yorkshire Housing through his local authority and his support worker. He bid on one of our properties, not only looking for a new house but a fresh start and an escape from a life that was overshadowed by a history of domestic abuse.
Mr X had been married to his wife for most of his life, his mobility had decreased, and she’d become increasingly abusive, both financially and physically. The final incident that resulted in him leaving saw her pushing him over, beating him with his walking stick and setting fire to his belongings.
Mr X heavily relied on his wife and had no idea where to begin on his own, but to get away from the abuse, he said he would be willing to sleep on a floor and live off sandwiches, despite being over the age of 80. So, when Georgina, one of our scheme managers became aware of the situation she stepped in to help to make sure that he wouldn’t be sleeping on a floor and had a roof over his head.
Georgina worked with the local authority to get financial support to enable Mr X to move into a safe home far away from the challenges he’d been facing. Georgina managed to get three weeks’ rent in advance from the local authority’s homeless fund, as well as a week from Yorkshire Housing.
But the support didn’t stop there. To help Mr X settle into his new home, Georgina used our lettings incentive to have the flat fully carpeted and even found Mr X a bed to make sure he had the best possible start to life in his new home. The kindness then extended into the community as the person who used to live in the flat offered to leave her oven, and the family of a customer from across the hall who had recently passed away, offered him all his kitchen equipment. And in no time, he had the utensils and appliances he needed to get back on his feet.
Speaking after Mr X had settled into his new home, Georgina said:
“Mr X has really come out of his shell since moving into his new home. He’s found his independence, has made friends for the first time in years, and can finally sleep well knowing that his abuser can’t find him.
“Meeting people like Mr X is exactly why I love my job and seeing the difference our team make to people’s lives. It shows not only how everyone at Yorkshire housing supports our customers, but how our communities pull together to support their neighbours too.”
Making sure you feel safe in your own home is really important to us. If you’re experiencing domestic abuse or worried about friends, family or neighbours, we’re here to help. Or you might be someone who's been abusive to others and want help to change. We take reports of domestic abuse extremely seriously and we’ll help you get the support you need. Please reach out to us here.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger phone the police on 999. If you’re not able to speak, press 55 at any time and you’ll be automatically transferred to the police.
Other support:
Call the National Domestic Abuse 24/7 Helpline 0808 2000 247 or use the live online chat https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/en/Chat-to-us-online
Check out the support that's available from specialist domestic abuse organisations and charities.
To talk to us about domestic abuse call 0345 366 4404 or email us safeguarding@yorkshirehousing.co.uk. If you want to speak to us in your own language, that’s no problem. Just let us know and we can get someone to help translate.