Christchurch Housing Society are delighted to announce that we now offer dedicated tenancy support. If you feel that yourself or a loved one living within one of our flats would benefit from additional support, please contact Nicola. Nicola works Tuesday - Thursday.

 

Once referred we will arrange for Nicola to phone the resident before visiting face to face where an assessment of needs would be identified. This could cover a range of things such as:

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•    Debt and financial support
•    Hoarding and attachment
•    Mental health 
•    Emotional needs
•    Networking with social groups
•    Administration support and access to a computer
•    NHS and health services
•    Food banks
•    Bereavement services

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We will help to locate and identify local services who can offer much needed support. This brilliant service is complimentary to all of our residents and we are more than happy to offer as much or as little guidance as felt necessary. 

 

Please email Nicola on Nicola.dufeu@xhs.org.uk or Mark@xhs.org.uk to put a name forward or to find out more. 

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Success Stories 

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Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan

A woman living in one of our flats initially felt she would be unable to leave her property safely in the event of a fire. Working with Nicola, she was able to explore her options and develop a personalised evacuation plan that met her individual needs.  With Nicola’s support, she now has a safe, practical plan that enables her to remain in her home while knowing what to do in the event of a fire. The plan has given her greater confidence, reassurance, and peace of mind.

 

Increased Financial Stability
Nicola from our tenant support team helped a tenant successfully apply for Attendance Allowance, increasing their income by £76.20 per week, an additional £3,962.40 per year. This extra financial support has helped improve their independence and ability to manage everyday living costs. It is important to note that Attendance Allowance is a payment disregarded by housing benefit and universal credit and is paid without affecting other benefits. Nicola also was able to secure backdated lump sum payments of £2239.80 and £2244.67 in housing benefit enabling tenants increased financial stability.

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Supporting Tenants Through Food Insecurity

Nicola successfully supported residents experiencing food insecurity by securing 9 food bank vouchers and personally delivering 4 food parcels to tenants in need. This support provided immediate access to essential food supplies, helping to reduce financial pressure and ensure vulnerable residents had access to nutritious meals. Through proactive support, partnership working and responding quickly to individual needs, Nicola was able to make a positive and practical difference to the wellbeing of those she supports.

 

Rent Arrears Cleared Through Benefit Support
After assisting a tenant with a Housing Benefit application, Nicola secured £1,760 in backdated payments. This cleared the tenant's rent arrears in full and ensured their Housing Benefit payments were reinstated, providing long-term financial stability.

 

Providing Emotional Support to Tenants

Nicola has successfully supported tenants experiencing emotional difficulties related to bereavement, illness, and ongoing medical issues. She provided a listening ear, reassurance, and compassionate support, while recognising when specialist help was needed. She also signposted tenants to appropriate bereavement and wellbeing services, helping them access professional support during particularly challenging periods, she also supported tenants dealing with health concerns by providing practical reassurance, encouraging them to engage with relevant healthcare professionals and helping them access appropriate services.

 

Working Together to Clear Rent Arrears
By developing a realistic repayment plan and providing ongoing support, Nicola helped a tenant clear £1,400 of rent arrears within just a few months. The collaborative approach has enabled the tenant to maintain their tenancy and stay on track with future payments.

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Significant Reduction in Rent Debt
Through a tailored repayment arrangement and regular engagement with Nicola, a tenant reduced their rent arrears from £750 to just £60 in a matter of months, demonstrating the positive impact of early intervention and ongoing support.

 

Supporting Families to Sustain Tenancies
Working closely with a tenant's next of kin, Nicola helped reduce rent arrears from £1,400 to £400. This partnership approach has made a significant difference in addressing outstanding debt while helping to secure the tenancy.

 

Hoarding Help

Nicola, our Tenant Support Officer provided compassionate support to a tenant experiencing hoarding issues, which had resulted in their home becoming difficult to manage. Nicola worked closely with the tenant to understand their situation and helped them take the first steps towards improving their living environment. She signposted and connected the tenant with a specialist company that was able to assist with clearing the property, providing practical support throughout the process. This intervention helped the tenant make significant progress in creating a safer, more manageable home environment, whilst also ensuring they felt supported rather than judged. The support demonstrated the importance of early intervention, partnership working and a person-centred approach when helping tenants facing complex challenges.

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