Tenant Spotlight: Blue's Career Transformation with our Employment Support Service

Blue tells us how our Employment Support Service has helped to boost her career.  

“I would highly recommend this service to any ForHousing tenant. I am already championing this service loudly to anyone who will listen!” 

The Employment Support Service is available to all tenants aged 16 and above who are looking to change jobs, refresh skills, or get into the workplace for the first time.  

The Service has been set up as part of our wider commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of our tenants.  

Through the Employment Support Service, we are offering tenants the opportunity to access career advice, training, work experience opportunities, and one-to-one coaching sessions with one of our experienced advisors.  

38-year-old tenant, Blue, got in touch with the service in May 2023 to help her transition to a new career.  

Blue, who was previously a Teaching Assistant at a local primary school, wanted to explore new career opportunities. She felt the time was right because her children had grown up, giving her more flexibility. 

After visiting a local jobs fair, Blue signed up for the Employment Support Service in May 2023. One of the team’s experienced advisors, Alicia, worked closely with Blue to tailor a plan addressing her specific needs. 

The services provided to Blue included personalised career advice from the Tenancy Resilience team, targeted training for enhancing her skills, and exposure to work experience opportunities such as volunteering and placements from another experienced advisor, Will. 

Just a few weeks later, Blue started a work placement with the Employment Support Service team, dedicating one day per week to shadowing team members, and assisting with day-to-day duties. 

Thanks to Blue’s dedication and the support received from the Employment Support Service, Blue went on to secure a job within the Customer Connect Hub at ForHousing. 

She has now been working on the team as a Customer Connect Officer for three months.  

Blue said: “Before this programme, I never thought it would be possible for me to change careers. Thanks to the Employment Support Service, I have gained so much valuable experience which gave me the skills and confidence to apply for jobs within the sector I wish to pursue. 

“From the very beginning, the team has been friendly, professional, and supportive and the care and compassion they have for the tenants at ForHousing is second to none.  

“Without their continued support I would never have had the confidence to apply for a role at ForHousing. Let alone succeed.  

“The team has given me the confidence and the self-belief that anything is possible, and I am extremely hopeful about my future prospects. 

“As a tenant and now a proud member of the team, I think the more tenants working here, the better. Our life experiences can improve the services we provide.”  

She added some advice for anyone out there who wants help to get back into employment or find a new role: “I would highly recommend this service to any ForHousing tenant. I am already championing this service loudly to anyone who will listen!” 

Stories like Blue’s bring to life the positive impact our Employment Support Service can make. The team is here to offer an approach tailored to tenants to help empower them on the path to sustained and fulfilling employment. 

We want more tenants like Blue to join us in shaping the future of ForHousing. Their unique perspective matters.  

Blue’s journey is a testament to the possibilities. By having more tenants working with us, we can better listen, learn, and offer even more personalised, tenant-focused services.