Support Worker Joanne supports people experiencing mental health issues to manage their homes to prevent anti-social behaviour and homelessness, as part of Revival’s Housing Support Service.
The service funded by Nationwide, looks to support North Staffordshire residents to help improve neighbourhoods and enable people to live independently in their homes and communities for the long term.
Joanne was referred to support a family of three brothers who all lived in their family home with their parents, and after their sudden death, they found themselves at risk of homelessness.
All three brothers had mental health support needs and wanted support to help them find alternative accommodation and live independently.
“When I first spoke to Leonard, it was apparent that this was a complicated case”, said Joanne.
“He told me that he and his two brothers were at risk of homelessness because of their parents’ death. Their parents had rented the three-bed family home, and the three brothers all with their own mental health support needs, had lived with them all their lives.
“When their parents suddenly died, it left them with the impossible decision of moving out or taking on a tenancy for a three-bed family home.
“Leonard told me that one of the brothers had decided to move out and go and live with their partner and that he and his other brother decided to take on the tenancy themselves.
“Later the other brother then decided to unofficially move out, which meant Leonard was having to suddenly pay rent and manage the home all by himself.
“He told me he found this incredibly difficult due to his bipolar disorder, and not having a job. It meant the situation was causing him increased anxiety and that he’d built up quite a substantial amount of rent arears, and the landlord wanted them out.”
Joanne quickly got to work to find suitable accommodation to allow Leonard to live independently again.
“When I spoke to the landlord it was clear they had a fixed view on the case, and they wanted Leonard out”, continued Joanne.
“I advocated for the brothers and insisted they support them to find alternative accommodation. I explained that Leonard had bipolar and relied heavily on his brothers and local community to live independently.
“After a review, they agreed to provide them with a two-bed ground floor apartment on the same street as their family home.
“It was awarded as a joint tenancy for Leonard and his brother, which meant they could share the responsibility and gave them much needed financial stability.
“The third brother continued to live independently with his partner, but I arranged for him to become Leonards official carer, providing them all with the right support and better financial security.”
Joanne says the three brothers were over the moon with the outcomes she’d secured for them.
“Leonard told me he felt such relief knowing his housing situation was finally resolved”, explained Joanne.
“They were very much looking forward to moving into their new home, that would be easier to manage and more affordable to run.
“They were really grateful for my help and support and told me they couldn’t thank me enough for everything I’d done for them.
“I’m so glad I could advocate for the customers and prevent another family being kicked out onto the streets!”
