Housing Matters - September 2021
Tenant news
Tenants tap into free counselling and advice service
In October 2020 we launched a new support service for our tenants (see Housing Matters issue 2). The Individual Assistance Programme (IAP) is a free 24/7 confidential helpline and ‘My Healthy Advantage’ mobile phone app which provide free counselling, wellbeing support and expert advice. The programme is operated by Health Assured, who also provide Broadland’s EAP (Employment Assistance Programme) for staff.
To date there have been 239 hits to the IAP portal and tenants made 19 helpline calls to access counselling. Of these calls, low mood accounted for 67% and 15% were because of a concern for another person. Tenants also made 9 calls for legal advice.
Kevin Gee, Tenancy Support Manager, said:
“Over the last year, during lockdown, we saw an 11.5% increase in the number of people we referred to our Employment and Training Coach. One in three of the enquiries to our Welfare Benefits Advisor were about claiming Universal Credit. These figures reflect the economic downturn during the pandemic, and the increased stress our tenants have experienced during lockdown. We will continue to promote the IAP as a confidential and independent free service to our tenants, so as many as possible can benefit.”
New portraits celebrate Broadland tenants
Norfolk artist Devin Smith has created three striking new portraits of Broadland Housing tenants. Broadland commissioned the original oil paintings for our refurbished meeting rooms at The Elms in Norwich.
Devin’s brief was to give an insight into tenants’ lives on our schemes. Thomas, Tim, Violet and Linda joined Devin and our Chief Executive Michael Newey for an exclusive (socially distanced) preview of their portraits and a celebration afternoon tea.
Violet, Broadland tenant, said:
“The painting far exceeded my expectations. I would like to thank Devin for such a fantastic piece of art.”
Chief Executive Michael Newey said:
“We are grateful to Devin for creating these original portraits which celebrate the lives of Broadland tenants. They are stunning artworks, each with a unique story to tell.”
To see more of Devin’s work: www.facebook.com/DevinSmithArt