Meet Danielle who is Launchpad’s tenancy officer.
When did you join Launchpad?
I joined Launchpad in August 2024, and I work as the tenancy officer in the housing management team.
What is your career background?
Before joining Launchpad, I worked in roles that focused on supporting people and building positive relationships within the community. I spent nine years as a Police Community Support Officer with Thames Valley Police, which helped me develop strong communication and problem‑solving skills, as well as conflict resolution, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure — all of which I now bring into my housing management role.
After becoming a parent, I needed a role that offered a better balance with home life and childcare. When I began exploring my next career move, I knew housing was the direction I wanted to pursue. Through working closely with Housing Officers and Anti‑Social Behaviour Officers in my previous role, I understood what the job entailed.
I was also familiar with Launchpad and had always admired the charity’s passion for supporting people experiencing homelessness or needing guidance. When the opportunity came up, I knew straight away it was somewhere I wanted to be.
Having now worked for Launchpad for a year and a half, I am starting a CIH Level 3 qualification in Housing Practice, which I’m looking forward to completing by the end of the year.
What does your job entail?
As a Tenancy Officer, I support residents to maintain and sustain their tenancies and help create a safe, stable living environment. My role includes carrying out tenancy sign-ups and end‑of‑tenancy processes, managing evictions and court applications, handling tenancy‑related queries, and addressing any issues that may arise within our accommodations.
I oversee a mixture of supported housing tenants and general needs tenants, working closely with colleagues across different teams to ensure residents receive the right support at the right time.
Essentially, I’m here to help people feel safe and secure in their homes and empowered in their next steps going forward.
What do you enjoy most about working at Launchpad?
What I enjoy most is being able to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Supporting residents to maintain their tenancies is really rewarding, and because every tenant and every case is different, there’s always variety in my work — no two days are ever the same, which is something I really enjoy.
I also genuinely love working within my team. Everyone is passionate about what they do, and we all pull together to provide the best possible service.
Are there any challenges in your day-to-day role?
There are definitely challenges in my day-to-day role, as I work with residents who may be facing difficult or uncertain situations. Every case is different, and things can change quickly, which sometimes means making decisions under pressure or managing complex needs. Balancing the practical side of tenancy management with the emotional realities that some residents are experiencing can also be challenging at times. However, these challenges are part of what makes the role meaningful.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
My spare time is normally pretty busy and hectic, as I have a young child who is constantly on the go — but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love spending quality time with my family and getting out for walks and fresh air with our dog, Luna.
My favourite thing to do is listen to music. It’s very rare that any time passes without me having something on. I’m into all genres, so my music taste is all over the place, but it’s what helps me get through life and through the day — I honestly wouldn’t be without it.