You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
A week in the life of… a foyer manager
Samantha Mobbs, manager at Guinness Care, has spent the week trying to organise a move into permanent accommodation for some of the young people at the organisation’s Sheffield Foyer, as well as collecting groceries and coming up with ideas for how the youth centre will respond to Black Lives Matter
Monday
I began my day at the Sheffield Foyer – a Guinness Care scheme for young homeless people needing accommodation and help with training and employment – with a handover from the evening security guard. I was then on reception duty until more staff arrived – this is not usually needed, but our daytime concierge is shielding.
I also checked new government guidance on coronavirus and relayed this to our residents. Then I had a well-being catch-up with staff who are not in work.
“The only way to make more bed spaces available to homeless people from Sheffield is to move those who are now capable of living independently onto their own tenancies”
Tuesday
I gathered performance figures and other statistics for a foyer advisory group report and wrote the report for the next (virtual) meeting. The report included housing management information and details of initiatives which have taken place since the last meeting.
The group is made up of members from the local community, local businesses, local MPs, foyer residents and staff, and wider Guinness employees – this is great for two-way communication with stakeholders.
Wednesday
I collected a FareShare donation from a Tesco store and delivered it to a local Guinness sheltered housing scheme. We have been sharing our donations during the lockdown.
The foyer is officially full. The only way to make more bed spaces available to homeless people from Sheffield is to move those who are now capable of living independently onto their own tenancies.
I contacted Sheffield Council regarding six referrals that were sent recently. The council is only able to offer direct lets with no viewings before signing due to the pandemic. They helpfully agreed that young people will not lose their priority if they turn an offer down.
I also need to make sure that empty bedrooms are re-let to those most in need in the city.
Thursday
I checked the latest coronavirus update and read the new guidelines for staff to ensure it is safe for those who have been shielding.
I also purchased ‘point prizes’ for the reward system we run for when residents achieve something, such as completing in-house training modules. Each point is worth 50p and can be used straight away or be saved for larger purchases. Points can be redeemed for household items or things that would be useful for them during their tenancy.
Friday
I looked at ways we can support Black Lives Matter at the foyer. Staff were asked to think of ways we can support the cause which can be sustained and engrained.
I had a Skype meeting with other managers, which included a coronavirus planning update from Guinness Care services.
We are due to have two staff members return to work, and I am looking forward to welcoming them.
Do you know an outstanding professional who deserves to be featured? Email jess.mccabe@insidehousing.co.uk with your suggestions
A week in the life series
Our ‘A week in the life’ series features housing professionals talking through what they do in their job on a day-to-day basis.
Find out about the different challenges housing workers in a variety of roles face in a given week.
We aim to feature staff from housing associations, ALMOs, local authorities and more.
Click here to nominate yourself or a colleague for inclusion
A week in the life of… a damp, mould and condensation officer – featuring Andy Sherritt at South Yorkshire Housing Association
A week in the life of… Kensington and Chelsea’s Rough Sleeper Dual Diagnosis Service – featuring Gavin Stewart and Charlotte Northall
A week in the life of… a money guidance officer – featuring Debbie Woodcock at Clarion
A week in the life of… a part-time social prescribing link worker – featuring Dawn Perry at WHG
A week in the life of… a transitions and implementation lead – featuring James Brown at Places for People Living Plus
A week in the life of… a tenancy support manager – featuring Jackie Bird at Community Gateway Association
A week in the life of… a head of asset management – featuring Zoe Carmichael at Alpha Living
A week in the life of… an environmental sustainability manager – featuring Alice Lovatt at Sanctuary
A week in the life of… a housing support manager – featuring Sara Dunnet at ForHousing
A week in the life of… a place-shaping manager – featuring Sarah Smith at Vivid Plus
A week in the life of… a part-time work planner – featuring Siwan Hammond at WHG
A week in the life of… a marketing communications customer lead – featuring Leah Thompson at Thrive
A week in the life of… a housing co-ordinator – featuring Sharon Chambers at Sovereign
A week in the life of… a senior community partnerships manager – featuring Brian Hamlin at The Guinness Partnership
A week in the life of… an asset compliance team leader – featuring Emily Elsworth at Longhurst Group
A week in the life of… a business continuity manager – featuring Chloe Fox at Abri
A week in the life of… an employment advisor – featuring Vanessa Loveridge at A2Dominion
A week in the life of… a housing association surveyor – featuring Andy Davies at Thrive Homes
A week in the life of… a youth support worker – featuring Treaser Jassal at Poplar Harca
A week in the life of… a head of community and housing-related support – featuring Daniel Revell-Wiseman at Longhurst
A week in the life of… a building safety manager – featuring Lisa Leather at Trafford Housing Trust
A week in the life of… a forensic mental health service manager – featuring Camille Lapaix at Look Ahead
A week in the life of… a communities apprentice – featuring Alex Perrin at Clarion Futures
A week in the life of… a supported housing officer – featuring Tamara Suppria at Housing Solutions
A week in the life of… a senior occupational therapist – featuring Gemma Carr at Grand Union Housing Group
A week in the life of… a concierge officer – featuring Tyrone Wilson at Citizen
A week in the life of… a policy and practice officer – featuring Hannah Keilloh at the Chartered Institute of Housing
A week in the life of... a delivery manager – featuring Rebecca Bewick at Gentoo
A week in the life of… a fire safety project officer – featuring Victor Liburd at BPHA
A week in the life of… a ‘HomelessWise’ information co-ordinator – featuring Fiona McCarthy at St Mungo’s
A week in the life of… a national property development manager – featuring Heidi Fisher at Housing 21
A week in the life of… an apprentice electrician – featuring Selda Ponari at Bournville Village Trust
