From the frontline - Lynsey Tomlins

What does your job involve?

I support people to deal with crises and then help them to become as independent as they can be by maximising their life skills, income and engagement with services.

How did you get into housing?

I’ve always been interested in tackling disadvantage. After university I worked with a housing charity supporting young women and people who were street homeless. I’ve worked in housing since 2002 and at Aspire for eight years.

What does ‘well-being’ mean to you?

Well-being is the positive outcome where people feel their lives are going well. It involves good living conditions – both housing and economic – quality relationships, emotional health, being resilient and the realisation of potential.

What would you change about the sector if you could?  

There are lots of things I’d change at government level to recognise housing. On a personal level it would be great to have more long-term security of employment.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The successes. I often see people who we have supported previously; it’s wonderful to see them doing well and to think you’ve had a part in that.

And the most challenging?

The most frustrating is dealing with the welfare benefit system. Also the cuts to mental health and addiction services mean we’ve had to learn new skills to help deal with these issues.

What’s your dream job?

I would love to work or volunteer for a non-governmental organisation doing some kind of disaster relief or working with Europe’s refugees.

What’s the first thing you’d do if you became prime minister?

I would introduce a citizen’s income. I’ve seen so many people living in poverty who are reliant on food banks and have to spend periods with no power in their homes. I just don’t see how you are supposed to improve your life from that position.

What would your superpower be and why?

Time travel. I’m very interested in social history and it would be great to go back and have a look.

What’s the most private thing you’d be willing to admit to colleagues?

There isn’t much my team don’t know about me!