But what do you do?

When faced with the question, "What do you do?" I always use a Spike Milligan joke and respond with “I do my best!” However of late it has become a question that requires a more serious response.  When people ask these days it tends to be out of curiosity about my Housing Sector platform and my other housing activism activates.  So for anyone interested here is how I send my time.

Resident Engagement - Online

Throughout the week, a significant portion of my time is dedicated to engaging with residents who reach out seeking support in raising issues with their landlords. These inquiries come through various channels, including online forms and social media interactions.

Upon receiving these engagements, the process unfolds through a series of email exchanges aimed at understanding the nature of their concerns and determining if I can provide assistance.

As a solo operator, it's a delicate balance, and prioritisation becomes essential. Urgent matters, such as residents facing issues like a lack of heating or hot water, understandably take precedence over less critical concerns like unkempt grounds.

I work closely with residents, coaxing out pertinent information about their interactions with their housing provider. This involves a thorough exploration of steps taken by the provider to address and rectify the reported issues. Assessing the potential risks or dangers to life becomes a priority, ensuring swift attention to matters that pose immediate threats.

A crucial aspect of this engagement is guiding residents in articulating their concerns effectively. Many residents, in their frustration, might resort to what I term "ranting emails." These emotionally charged messages often go unnoticed or dismissed by providers, however the underlying issues remain pertinent. In collaboration with residents, I assist in crafting well-structured and constructive emails, legitimising their concerns and enhancing the likelihood of impactful communication with their housing provider.

I have a commitment to ensuring that each resident, regardless of the complexity of their situation, feels heard and supported in their efforts to address housing challenges.

Resident Engagement - Conversations

In certain instances, I find it necessary to step beyond the realm of written communication and engage with residents through phone calls. While I aim to limit these calls due to their time-consuming nature and the potential limitations in providing immediate resolution, there are scenarios where a conversation becomes essential.

Calling residents allows me to delve deeper into the complexities of the issues they are facing. While written communication has its merits, a direct conversation often uncovers nuances and emotions that may not be fully expressed in emails or forms. Although these calls may not always result in immediate action, they play a crucial role in addressing the emotional needs of residents who have been passed around without a designated point of contact within their housing association.

Understanding the challenges at hand, assessing the level of support or lack thereof from their housing provider, and collaboratively drawing up action plans are key outcomes of these conversations. This ensures clarity regarding the scope of my support and establishes realistic expectations for residents.

While awaiting responses from housing associations, these calls serve an additional purpose – safeguarding the mental well-being of residents. The simple act of human contact reassures them that they haven't been forgotten amidst ongoing delays or issues. This personal touch adds significant value, fostering a sense of connection and support during what can often be a challenging and isolating experience. It's a reminder that, beyond the bureaucratic processes, there's a human advocate genuinely invested in their concerns.

Resident Engagement - Face to Face

To truly grasp the challenges faced by residents, I take to the streets, quite literally. Walking through neighbourhoods allows me to not only deliver essential leaflets—such as this month's Warm Safe Drive campaign—but also contributes to my daily step count! Beyond the physical exercise, these walks provide an invaluable understanding of the real impact housing issues have on local communities.

I hold immense respect for most housing officers, recognising the challenges stemming from resource constraints, I believe that a direct line of contact with people in their homes and communities is an indispensable resource for every housing association. Despite the plethora of available and emerging technological tools available to assess housing association stock, nothing compares to the power of firsthand experience. Witnessing the conditions on-site provides insights that reports and analytics may miss, making these walks an essential part of my approach.

Despite the wealth of video evidence circulating online showcasing substandard living conditions, I choose not to share these experiences publicly. Instead, I utilise this time for personal understanding and gaining community connections. These walks serve as an opportunity to raise awareness about the services I offer, connecting with the community on a personal level.

Taking advocacy a step further, I'm in the process of arranging drop-in sessions at local community groups. This initiative aims to further bridge the gap between service providers and the real challenges faced by individuals affected by housing issues. It's about immersing myself in the heart of the community, face-to-face with those most impacted by the shortcomings of housing providers. My goal is not just to comprehend the issues intellectually but to genuinely empathise and connect with the residents of social housing within our communities.

Website Content

To bring attention to the challenges faced by numerous residents, I actively post content online. In an era where some housing providers utilise their substantial resources to present a misleading image, I find it imperative to present both sides of the story. Embracing transparency is crucial, and these issues deserve a place in the public domain.

My content not only sheds light on the struggles faced by residents but also serves as a platform for best practices and insights gleaned from my first-hand experiences dealing with housing challenges. It's a blend of advocacy and education, providing a comprehensive view of the complexities within the housing sector.

Interestingly, I've observed that many issues tend to find resolution once brought into the public eye. However, this transparency has not always been welcomed with open arms. My own landlord has reacted strongly, even attempting to stifle freedom of speech through criminal prosecution. This response underscores the importance of persistently advocating for residents' rights and the freedom to express their concerns.

In addition to highlighting challenges, I use my platform to endorse new tools and practices that could benefit the housing sector. Whether it's promoting effective solutions or seeking a deeper understanding of emerging technologies, I strive to build a bridge between residents and housing providers.

This approach has sparked many meaningful conversations within the sector. I have on average 5-10 Zoom/Team calls a month with professionals from various corners who have reached out for discussions, sharing insights, and collectively exploring better ways of working. It's a refreshing and collaborative effort to foster positive change and address the evolving needs of both residents and housing providers.

Balancing Life

A boy has got to eat, as such I allocate 2 to 3 days a week to focus on revenue-generating activities, keeping this aspect separate from my housing activism. This allows me to maintain a balance between advocacy and personal sustenance.

One special daily ritual is the call I share with my autistic godson between 3:30 and 4:30 every day. In these brief but heartwarming 45-second conversations, he shares snippets of his day – from the walk home from school, who he walked home with, and how his dogs are. These calls, filled with pure and pertinent updates, serve as a daily reminder of our love and connection.

However, on Wednesdays, my mate (also my godson's father) escape to a pub intentionally chosen for its lack of mobile phone signal. During this time, I enjoy a couple of pints, revelling in the peace and quiet that shields me from the demands of upset residents, legal matters, or any other potential interruptions. It may not be the grandest pub, but its ability to offer a sanctuary of tranquility makes it a favourite retreat – a place where I can laugh and recharge, free from the constant stream of external pressures.

Besides my weekly signal-free pub visit, I frequently retreat to my camper van for a practice we affectionately term "Van Caving." During these moments, only my wife knows my location. I take the opportunity to relax, enjoy cheese toasties, and watch movies.

Conclusion

Throughout my life, I've been consistently employed, always earning. However, the experience of lockdown and furlough brought a profound shift in my perspective. It sparked a newfound appreciation for community involvement, prompting me to engage in activities like delivering food and school books to those in need. Previously, my outlook might have been one of resignation, I’d made peace with myself, if the world couldn’t make peace with itself, then it would have to figure it out without me.

Yet, during furlough and lockdown, I embraced a more active role in supporting others. The personal fulfilment derived from this shift is indescribable. As I navigate middle age, my focus has naturally evolved from self-indulgence to actively supporting those around me. While the financial aspect is undoubtedly a concern, I am building pipelines through various activities. I am confident that, at some point, the housing sector will offer a revenue stream to sustain my efforts. Until then, the reward lies in actively supporting people.

So, when people inquire about what I do, my usual response is that I do my best, and indeed, I am doing just that. I am supporting residents, enhancing my understanding of a sector I've never worked in, striving to drive positive change within my communities, learning from the responses and behaviours of my own landlord, whilst gaining an insight into legal proceedings. Above all, I am doing the right thing.

Perhaps, when asked what I'm doing, my stock answer should now be - I'm doing the right thing. - Want to help?