You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
From the frontline
Michelle Kent is a community safety team leader at Melin Homes. She talks to Simon Brandon about the highs and lows of working in anti-social behaviour.
How did you get into housing?
I went straight from university into housing. I did a degree in social policy, and when I graduated a friend saw an advert in the paper for a sponsored housing student. I thought, “This is a good idea – I’m in debt, I’ll do a diploma in housing and get paid for it.” That was for Neath Port Talbot Council. So it was a bit by accident really, but a happy accident. Most days anyway!
Describe your role
Varied, challenging, rewarding, frustrating and exciting.
What gets you out of bed?
I know I’m never going to be bored. You never know what day you’re going to have in anti-social behaviour (ASB), which I like.
What’s the best thing about your job?
There’s never a dull moment; the people I work with; and we operate a counselling service at Melin called Be Me for victims of ASB, which I manage.
What’s the worst thing?
People’s expectations – sometimes they expect us to act immediately but because of factors outside our control, we can’t.
What extra powers or tools would help you do your job?
I’d want to keep the ‘mandatory ground’ in Wales. It came in with the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act last year, and it means if we go for possession, and the resident has already been convicted of something, then the judge has to evict them. But the Welsh government is getting rid of it in 2017, which I think is a real shame.
What has the job taught you?
That I’ve got more patience and empathy than I thought I had, and that everyone has a story.
How do you relax away from work?
I do lots of meditation and yoga, I’ve recently learned to play tennis, and I go to watch Bristol City. Actually, that’s not always relaxing.
What would your superpower be?
I’d like to have endless amounts of energy – this job can be quite draining!
One piece of advice?
Don’t take things personally. If someone’s having a go, they are often frustrated at the situation, not you. It took me a while to realise that. Sometimes if you just listen for 15 minutes, that’s all the person wants .
