At the start of April, many of the new staff recently recruited to the Housing Team at Bedford Borough Council were taking their first steps into Borough Hall. Six weeks later, the 22-strong team gone through a comprehensive round of training delivered in-house and by specialists and are now ready to help local residents.
This initiative marks an ambitious and significant step forward in the council's ongoing efforts to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping and provide essential assistance to individuals and families. It's going to speed up our efforts in housing and make sure we're tackling these problems with a new team effort across the whole council.
Catherine, recently recruited as a Housing Assessment Advisor and Advice Officer trainee said; “I am stepping into next week with both the confidence and the knowledge of how to help people. My impression of the people I’d be helping was shaped by what I’d seen portrayed on TV – this just isn’t the case anymore. Anyone could end up needing our advice. I’m now ready to embark with the knowledge gained over the past few weeks to provide the help people need.
“With the time and training that each one of us has received, we have been set up to succeed and most importantly help people access vital support, expertise, funding or opportunities to improve things for them and their families.”
For Manjeet the training has allowed them to see how they will be helping local people build a home; “From my volunteering last winter with The Kings Arms Project, to now sitting in Borough Hall, I’ve been inspired to make a difference to people’s lives and care for the people that belong to Bedford. Over the past few weeks, we’ve really bonded as a team and I know collaboration across the Council will be key to us achieving success.”
Many of the team also shared with us how they will bring in their own lived experiences to each role. Whether it is a crisis they’ve faced or a loved one, the recruits all shared a desire, shared from the very top, to help residents without judgement.
Lasharn added; “You have to be empathetic in this role. We will not be able to help everyone, but we’re all now in a place to take a holistic approach to someone care – from housing to other support services. We all look beyond a person’s application, knowing what a stressful time it is when we take a call. I know this will be a challenging role but I can’t wait to get started.”
The training included important subjects such as equality and diversity, supporting victims of domestic abuse and safeguarding from experts in both adults and children’s services.
Name, who has been in the Housing Team for several years added; “It’s not just the new recruits that are gaining from the training. It’s reignited my own passion and given the whole team a renewed positivity about the difference we are trying to make.”
“I want to thank all the directorates and external organisations for helping be part of this induction programme, sharing with our whole team their expert advice and time”, added Cllr Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Housing.
“Here at Bedford Borough Council, we are determined to make a lasting difference in the lives of its residents. We launched this recruitment drive in order to make a clear statement of intent to do all we can to prevent rough sleeping and to provide urgent help to people facing homelessness. In the months ahead I look forward to sharing more successes.”
For more information about homelessness, please visit www.bedford.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice/housing-advice-overview