A handy way of delivering information

Published by Paul Diggory for North Wales Housing Association in Housing

North Wales Housing’s in-house maintenance team are being given lessons in welfare reform in a bid to help the organisation deliver important information to tenants.

All members of the local team have taken part in a short training programme, allowing them to discuss general details of the reforms when carrying out works at residents homes.

Brett Sadler, Assistant Director, Neighbourhoods at North Wales Housing said: “This is such an important issue, so we must push the message out there and find different, alternative and innovative ways of engaging with our tenants. Our maintenance team work within our communities, and equipped with the right information and training, can help us raise awareness of this important issue.

“The maintenance team have been keen to get on board with this and they will all carry information leaflets and contact details, while our vans will be branded with ‘Your benefits are changing’ details.”

Mike Bernard Assistant Director, Homes at North Wales Housing added: “Since the DLO was launched over two years ago, we’ve become very much part of our communities and many members of the team live within our estates and surrounding areas. Our aim isn’t to push this information onto residents but to be able to give correct facts and sign-point them in the right direction.”

North Wales Housing has been holding welfare reform sessions and events  across North Wales to highlight welfare reform whilst housing officers have been carrying out one to one home visits.

Brett concluded: “It’s important that people have the time to prepare for these changes and aren’t overwhelmed or shocked when they are enforced. We have around 350 families who are affected by welfare reform and are working to support each of these in the lead up to, and after 1^st April.”