What attracted you to Wigan & Leigh Housing?
I had worked in Housing Benefi ts for 18 years in various roles, and quite frankly, I was getting bored. I wanted a job in a similar field that would provide more of a personal challenge and involve learning new information and skills. I referred a customer to Housing Aid at Wigan and Leigh Housing and I was so impressed by the advice, help and customer service they received that when I saw this job advertised I thought - ‘That’s a company I would like to work for’.
How would you describe your typical working day?
There’s no such thing as a typical day. My role is highly varied and involves advising customers who are having difficulty keeping their accommodation, interviewing people in our offices and in their homes. I arrange temporary accommodation for people in emergency situations, investigate homeless situations and provide training for other agencies on housing options. Through holding housing advice ‘surgeries’ at partner agencies, we make our services more accessible for our customers and work with our partners to help vulnerable customers succeed in a tenancy.
What is the best thing about your work?
It’s seeing vulnerable people succeed in a tenancy because they have been placed somewhere which is suitable for them, with the support that they need - especially customers who have failed in the past.
What skills or qualifications do you need for your role?
You don’t need formal qualifications, but you must be caring, sensitive, tactful and willing to learn new skills. You should be socially aware and passionate about customer care with knowledge of the housing issues faced by homeless people. Whilst you also need to have a commitment to equality and diversity, you’ll benefit from some experience of housing or dealing with complex customer problems as part of a busy team.
What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in housing?
Look for opportunities to gain experience with voluntary organisations and remember that if you put a lot into the job, you’ll get a lot out. Sometimes your work will be challenging, but ultimately it will be very rewarding.
What are the advantages of working for Wigan & Leigh Housing?
They provide good training and development opportunities such as courses and formal study. They are family friendly, accommodate flexible working, have a good pension scheme and are very open to providing learning experiences in other sections of the company.
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