What is your career background?
My background is in supported housing, working for a home improvement agency. I helped clients get on their feet and access services that made a difference in their lives. Sitting between the council and clients, I assisted clients navigate the complexities of housing.
This included arranging the things needed in homes to make day-to-day living accessible, help clients stay in their own homes or access social and sheltered housing.
I aided with tasks like setting up bank accounts, assisting with grants and putting arrangements in place to help them access things like stair-lifts, refitting of bathrooms for disabilities and ramps to homes.
It was very rewarding helping people remain independent, in their own homes or when they needed access social or sheltered housing.
Before that I used to be a drapery seamstress. I worked for John Lewis for many years producing the loveliest curtains with all the fancy swags and tails. I loved seeing the finished product, knowing I’d created it.
What is your role at Launchpad?
I initially started at Launchpad in a supported housing role as an agency worker. I liked Launchpad’s holistic approach to homelessness so when a permanent position came up as a supported housing assistant I applied and the rest is history. I’ve been in this role for almost five years and find it very gratifying.
The supported housing team support clients in Launchpad’s temporary housing. We house people in need of a safe and stable home, and they are with us for six to twelve months while we help them get their lives back on track.
We have support plans for each client and what they need help with is different – but what we do for them makes everyday living possible and empowers them to make positive changes in their life. Not everyone has a support network and that’s where we come in, helping them to get to a better place and move on to more permanent accommodation where they can manage their life and tenancy independently.
What does a typical day look like?
We are kept very busy with our caseloads. Each day is a varied mix of tasks in support of clients. Much time is spent communicating with clients and other agencies..
We have support meetings with clients regularly and set up tailor-made support plans – and help with things like setting up bank accounts, accessing benefits and grants. We also signpost clients to other services, for help with things like substance misuse or reoffending.
What do you enjoy most?
The team I work with is wonderful and together we achieve a lot.
The thing I like most is helping people, who for whatever reason, need assistance in getting on their feet. Helping them to access a stable and clean place to live, championing them along the road to independence and being able to better use the services and agencies that are in place to assist them.
The satisfaction that comes with this job is indescribable.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Even though I don’t do it professionally anymore, I still love to sew, something I’ve done for over 40 years. It relaxes me and is very cathartic. In this line of work it’s really important to be able to decompress so that you can give your very best to clients the next day.
My home is a big focus for me, I’m currently revamping my kitchen so that takes up a big chunk of my time. Like with sewing, focusing on the revamp at the end of the day helps me relax and unwind.