NOMAD Tenancy Support Team
by Richard Belbin

NOMAD Burngreave Tenancy Support Team are looking to recruit sessional workers to join them in their new offices at 29 Hallcar Street (behind the Burngreave Ashram).

I met the team at their new offices, crowded with people and thank you cards. The team was established three years ago to provide advice and support to tenants who were having difficulty maintaining their homes, and who were at risk of losing them. Initially only Council tenants were offered use of the service, but now it has been widened out so that any Council, Housing Association, or private tenant can now make use of the services offered.

Project Manager Carol Allcroft told me about the clients, and how they come into contact with the team.

“We take referrals from a range of agencies, such as the Housing Department, and Community GPs, as well as a small number of self-referrals. The individuals, mostly men between about twenty-five and fifty, but it really could be anyone, have a range of problems, such as mental health issues, or could be facing financial difficulties. Anyone who is having problems maintaining their tenancies can come and speak to us.

“The aim of the team is to ensure that tenants can stay in their home, the long-term aim is for tenants to maintain their homes without any need for support from ourselves or other outside agencies.”

Local resident Sam Galbraith is a recently recruited Trainee Project Worker, who speaks very highly of the project.

“I work twelve hours a week at the moment, which suits me great, the hours are really flexible, the pay’s good. NOMAD are an excellent organisation to work for, they’re well established and structured and are very supportive of their workers.

“I’m ambitious in this role. It’s great that you get the continuity of working with the same client, and seeing them develop and become independent. There’s no chance of stagnating either, there is always something new being thrown at you. It’s an exciting role.

“It’s also really good that the workers come from Burngreave. It’s really useful to have local information and links, because it changes so much round here.”

The support workers offer a wide range of help – whatever the client needs. Whether it’s help in filling out benefit applications, registering with a doctor, or budgeting, the Tenants Support Team will support a client through the process. Each full-time Project Worker has about twelve clients to work with, and would see them once or twice per week.

If you are interested in becoming a trainee project worker, ring the Support Team on 263 4311. NOMAD workers receive internal and external training, and there is an excellent chance of progression – two of the current Project Workers began as trainees. Speakers of community languages (especially Somali or Farsi) are particularly encouraged to apply.