Meet Sam, Local Housing Manager at Askern Vale
Ever wondered what a day in the life a Local Housing Manager looks like? Well, we caught up with Sam, Local Housing Manager at one of our Retirement Living schemes to find what a Local Housing Manager does and why she enjoys the role so much.
Sam started her career with Housing 21 in 2007 as a Court Manager at St Oswald Court in Pontefract. She stayed there for fifteen years before moving on to become the Local Housing Manager at Askern Vale Court – one of our newly built Retirement Living Schemes in Doncaster.
“I always say that no two days are the same as a Local Housing Manager,” said Sam. “Don’t get me wrong, I have my daily and weekly tasks for compliance but outside of that anything can happen, from dealing with emergencies such as residents falling or accidents to helping people apply for benefits or supporting them through bereavements. Not too long ago I was trying to save someone’s dog after it had escaped onto the railway track. It really does vary! Which is one of the reasons I love the job.”
Our Local Housing Managers play a key part in supporting our residents to live a safe and happy life in our schemes.
“The best thing about the role is that I’m able to make a difference,” said Sam. “I love that I’m able to help people, whether that’s helping someone who doesn’t have a social life get involved in the activities at the scheme or helping someone who is struggling financially to access the benefits they didn’t realise they were entitled to. But it’s not just about supporting our residents, we also support their families too. I know they appreciate that I am on site and can pop down to check on their loved one, so many people say that this is a weight off their mind.”
When asked what she would say to anyone who was thinking of applying for a Local Housing Manager role, she said: “First of all, do it - Two of my friends have applied to work at other Housing 21 schemes and they love it! I always say that the job is rewarding but it can be hard work. You need to be very organised and empathetic.
“I’ve been at Housing 21 for just under 20 years and while I’ve seen a lot of changes, I’ve always felt valued and supported. Development opportunities are available to everyone, and I’ve been able to get involved with testing new systems as well as train and mentor colleagues. I’ve also completed a number of additional courses that have helped me to develop as a Local Housing Manager.”
The organisation is a great place to work, it’s very family friendly and flexible when it comes to things happening in your personal life.”
“And I can’t forget about the benefits! I have the Blue Light Discount Card which I use all the time to save money on various purchase. I also have the Simply Health Plan which gives me access to a GP, and the ability to claim back for glasses, dental procedures and much more.”
Interested in joining the team at Housing 21? Check out our latest vacancies.
