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From the frontline - Maureen Bello
Maureen Bello, financial inclusion officer at Hightown, shares some value for money ideas and tells us her biggest concerns for residents
Tell us about your job
I help Hightown’s residents in any way I can, providing financial advice on everything from their eligibility for welfare benefits through to representation in tribunal hearings and practical tips on how to avoid debt.
What kind of things do you help with?
For some of our residents, budgeting is a big issue.
I share value for money ideas such as wholesale shopping, bulk buying, or where possible paying by direct debit rather than making one-off payments.
I also encourage people to get back into work.
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What’s your biggest concern for residents?
Welfare reform and the roll-out of Universal Credit will have a shattering impact on many of our residents. Individuals who are used to receiving weekly benefits will suddenly be expected to manage their money to stretch across a longer time frame. I worry that what’s designed to be a streamlining of services will lead to more people in severe financial difficulty.
How did you get into housing?
Job satisfaction for me is helping people who don’t necessarily have the ability to stand up for themselves and defend unfair decisions. My background is in law, and much of my career has been devoted to welfare advice, most recently for housing associations.
Is it easy to connect with residents?
All the people I talk to are grateful and welcome my advice. It’s not a hard sell; they immediately see the benefits of better financial management.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Getting results for residents. I might see the chance for a review of benefit entitlement or a Discretionary Housing Payment and I support people to make their case. It’s most satisfying when payments are made swiftly and you help tenants out of a tricky situation.
And the worst thing?
The demanding case load. There’s always someone else to help and the challenges brought by the Universal Credit roll-out will make my role even more important.
What would be your superpower and why?
Invisibility, because I could help people without being recognised.
What’s the first thing you’d do if you became prime minister?
Propose a new law so people wouldn’t have to pay tax on income less than £20,000.
What’s the most private thing you would be willing to admit to your colleagues?
Not all of them know I’m a legally qualified barrister.
