Major tenant engagement plan delivered at Abode Living Bristol
Private provider of social housing Abode Living has rolled out a major tenant engagement programme at its pioneering scheme in Bristol.
The initiative forms part of Abode Living’s commitment to ‘Make Lives Better’ by investing in the wellbeing and development of residents, offering free of charge services and support to over 600 tenants at the development.
Abode Living has unveiled the programme, following its hire of Community Engagement Officer Brandusa Rotaru (Brandy) whose role is key to promoting tenant welfare. Held via partnerships with organisations from the local community these services and events include mental health support, jobs and skills workshops and training, early years education initiatives, social engagement initiatives, health screening, informative advice sessions and other events.
Over the last 8 months, Brandy and the team have hosted various coffee mornings and engagement socials that local partners joined to promote their service. Brandy promoted initiatives such as Shelter Parents’ Group for parents at Imperial Apartments, held a visit for residents to Young Bristol’s Youth Club on Wheels at Knowle West Park and facilitated the start of a Residents’ Association to help tenants build their own community and foster friendships.
Over the next two months the programme will include more social events with local organisations in the community, local visits and a teddy bears’ picnic with games and ice cream van for families.
Brandusa Rotaru, Community Engagement Officer for Abode in Bristol, said: “The team have worked hard to foster a sense of community here. We have spoken to tenants to curate a calendar of social events based on what people like to do, in addition to building partnerships with local organisations to offer support on a number of topics from mental health to early years education, whilst also bringing foodbanks to the development. A large number of people living in social housing often move from other areas and do not have a large support network of family or friends so it’s crucial that we take our role seriously to make their lives better and help build relationships whilst underpinning their wants and needs through strategic partnerships. We are excited to see the difference this makes to the happiness of tenants and our overall diverse community.”
Abode’s scheme in Bristol provides affordable tenures for over 600 tenants with 465 studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. All homes have fitted kitchens with appliances, whilst the development has a state-of-the-art playground, two gyms with the latest equipment, four coworking spaces with IT facilities, a zen garden and central courtyard, a spacious soft play area, a reading corner for children and function room whilst the community is served by an on-the-ground team of professionals and security.
To date Abode has helped provide homes to thousands of tenants who would otherwise be on council waiting lists or homeless and is known for its extra support services with professional teams going above and beyond for its residents. The development is thought to be the first of its kind related to social housing in Europe serving such a large community with state-of-the art amenities onsite.
