Customer praises Tenancy Sustainment Officer Ozlem as a 'godsend'

“She really is a godsend for me.”

Those are the words of a grateful customer who's benefited from the support of one of our Tenancy Sustainment Officers.

Jane Smith* lives in Northamptonshire and has been working with Tenancy Sustainment Officer Ozlem Icer after her contact with social workers ended abruptly.

Now, after several weeks of interventions, Jane says Ozlem has been a real help in managing her mental health conditions, which has subsequently helped her manage her tenancy with us.

“Ozlem came into my life to help me regarding mental health issues and ongoing physical problems,” Jane said.

“I’m not very good with new people coming into the house, so the first time she came, she was with my Housing Officer, Hannah King.

“Hannah had helped me get a social worker, who’d been involved for a while, but that had suddenly stopped and that’s why Ozlem became involved. She’s trying to re-establish the link.

From the word go, Ozlem has helped me so much. She’s brilliant, she really is a godsend for me.

“She always encourages me to tell her what I’m feeling and not to hide it. It’s always great to see her and she’s helped me no end and in so many ways. My self-belief and confidence is getting there bit by bit.

“Ozlem is such a lovely lady and I trust her 100 percent.”

Currently, we employ four Tenancy Sustainment Officers and Jane said she’d encourage any other customers who’ve found themselves struggling and encountering issues that make it difficult to sustain their tenancy in any way to reach out to their Housing Officer and explore the possibility of working with one of the TSOs.

“I couldn’t be without her and I can’t begin to put into words what her help has done for me. She really is a massive inspiration,” she said.

She says if I feel alone, just to contact her. She’s always there. Nothing’s too much for her.

“I’m only just learning that. It’s hard, every day is the most difficult. If somebody else is struggling, I’d definitely recommend Ozlem and her colleagues and the help they can give.”

We currently offer tenancy sustainment support to customer across our operational areas.

The service is designed to work alongside teams to offer in-depth housing support to our general needs customers that are affected by a range of issues that may impact on their ability to sustain their tenancy.

To find out more about the service and the areas in which it operates, please get in touch with your Team Leader or local Tenancy Sustainment Officer.

*Not our customer’s real name or photo.