Customers Own Stories

Customer 1

AB was referred to us in May 2008 from a City of York Council Estate Manager. AB was having difficulties with budgeting and dealing with her utility company and suffered from high levels of anxiety. On top of this, she also had difficulties with her neighbours.

During support, it has been difficult to establish boundaries with A and she has often been over reliant on the support service. However, with intensive support and clarification on the services role, she has gone on to use it in an extremely productive way.

Within the year, AB has been supported with advocacy and communication, engaging with voluntary work in a local charity shop, accessing other services and reviewing and successfully applying for benefits. The main area of support has been around applying for a housing transfer due to noise nuisance and a move following this.

AB is now living independently and is much more confident in the running of her tenancy. She also has a social worker who is based at Systems House who can offer longer term support.

Customer 2

SM was referred to the YFSS from a Social Worker at the Retreat hospital in York. She had been a long term patient at the hospital and therefore needed support in setting up a tenancy on her discharge.

During support, SM has established and maintained her tenancy - even though at times this has been difficult as she has had to deal with ASB from her neighbours. However, with the support of the HSW and being able to access other agencies, this has now being solved. Other areas of support have included budgeting, claiming benefits, accessing education.

SM has managed to establish her independence in the two years that she has been supported and has increased her confidence which enables her to deal with day to day and tenancy related issues.

Customer 3

RH accessed the RFSS via Ryedale District Council as he was in temporary homeless accommodation. The HSW supported him in applying for housing and he has been successful in finding accommodation with HOME.

Before gaining a tenancy RH was supported to register with a doctor as he was misusing substances and to access other services to support him with this.

Once the tenancy was signed for, the HSW supported him to set up his utilities, apply for council and housing benefits and worked with him to learn how to budget his money in order to sustain his flat. The customer is now living independently.

Customer 4

JF was referred to the RFSS from Ryedale District Council as she was fleeing violence in the Scarborough area and was temporarily placed in Ryedale until the trial took place against her ex partner.

Due to the nature of the situation, there was a lot of involvement with other agencies to safeguard her situation. Other arrears of support included addressing arrears and debts, budgeting claiming benefits, and how to access education.

Following six months of support, the customer has carried out a planned move to accommodation in the Harrogate area as she has friends and family in the area from who she can receive support.