Celebrating a year of employment and tenancy sustainment success
It’s been another year of success for our foundation’s support services.
From April 2023 to March 2024, we helped 244 people get into work across a range of industries including law, health, finance, and the public transport sector.
This achievement includes supporting individuals often overlooked by traditional recruitment programmes, such as older workers, those with disabilities and single parents.
One highlight from the past year was when our team received an award from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) in recognition of their outstanding work in creating the highest level of employment opportunities for the local community.
Employment Support Leads, Claudette Durant-Williams and Deborah Cohen accepted the award from the Mayor of RBKC, Pretty Hudd and Cabinet Member for Housing Management, Councillor Sof McVeigh at RBKC’s Pathways to Work Charter celebratory event in February.
The evening was held in recognition of the collaborative work that social housing providers like L&Q undertake with RBKC, to support residents with advice and practical help with benefits, work, training, grants, and managing debt.
One resident who has used the employment service said:
“My employment advisor (Claudette) can be credited for me regaining my confidence. From placement on courses, CV support and mock interviews to being the calming voice in my ear saying, “You’ve got this” – she is an invaluable asset to L&Q.
A high-quality, professional employment service – L&Q could charge for this support, and I would have gladly paid. I’ve gone from strength to strength and from a £19k salary to just under £37k in less than two years.”
Claudette Durant-Williams and Deborah Cohen, Employment Support Leads, said:
“We are proud to be part of this unique and pioneering partnership with RBKC. Having access to valuable information through data sharing agreements has helped us provide timely and targeted support to those who need it most when they need it most.”
Our employment support service is all about connecting people with great opportunities. Employment Support Leads offer residents one-on-one CV help, prep for job interviews, and even link up with local and national employers through job brokerage services.
Matt Corbett, Director of L&Q Foundation, said:
“Housing associations are about more than managing homes. We offer a range of extra services which make a difference in the communities where we work. We’re proud to look back on another successful year for our support services, from helping hundreds of people into work or training, to our award-winning partnership work with RBKC on their Pathways to Work Charter.
"Often it is the cumulative effect of rising costs combined with static incomes that pushes many households into financial difficulties.
"Our employment support service helps residents not just to manage immediate financial pressures, but to find new opportunities and increase their earnings. Residents’ lives are improved, helping them to thrive, work meaningfully and reach their full potential.”
We also offer a range of tenancy sustainment support through the charter, including helping residents maximise the benefits they receive, providing budget advice, and helping them cope with everyday life.
In 2023/2024, the team supported 421 residents in and outside of RBKC to stabilise their tenancies and avoid legal enforcement action.
We also secured £8.2m of additional income for 2,748 residents using Pound Advice.
One resident who has used the tenancy sustainment service said:
“My tenancy sustainment officer (Beverley) supported and empowered me through each task, from contacting my energy suppliers to accessing the food bank and getting my housing benefit and council tax reviewed. She treated me with such respect and compassion; I cannot thank her enough.”
Last year, we also supplied over 1,500 fuel vouchers to residents, equating to over £74k.
Offering the vouchers digitally enables residents to use the vouchers quickly without having to print them.
We also issued around 1,000 foodbank vouchers for residents who needed this emergency support.