Our housing team support people from all walks of life, and everyone will have a different story to tell, or a different level of support needs. That’s what makes the job so rewarding and so interesting. One of our tenants has been with us for 15 years, and has received support from various members of the team in managing their home. Recently though, we have become increasingly concerned for their mental health. With some careful support from their Neighbourhood Manager, Frankie, this tenant is now able to live safely and comfortably in their home.
Our Safeguarding Lead, Lauren, said:
“The tenant has been known to us for 15 years or so. They’ve always displayed hoarding behaviours and there have been constant concerns about the property condition and the tenant’s wellbeing during this time. They were supported for around five years by Cardiff Mind about 10 years ago and despite hours and hours of work every week, very little progress was made. The tenant’s complex needs meant that they were unable to manage the hoarding behaviour and consequently the condition of the flat, which had become progressively worse.
“Having a Neighbourhood Manager supporting the tenant with a calm, emphatic and straightforward approach has been vital. She hasn’t pressured the tenant, hasn’t made them feel any shame, and really got them on side by emphasising what a difference it would make to the tenant’s life if they accepted our support. The tenant eventually agreed to CCHA using the tenant hardship fund to pay for cleaning and clearance of the property to overcome the significant hoarding issue.
“Hoarding is incredibly complex, and for some people, working through clutter and belongings themselves is key to overcoming the issue. However, for this tenant, due to their mental and physical health needs, what they needed was for someone else to take on this responsibility.”
This has been an excellent example of the difference that CCHA’s hardship fund has on empowering Neighbourhood Managers to take action which can have a lasting impact on tenant wellbeing and safety.