Posted on 28 October 2024
One of our priorities at Hyde is supporting our customers to live safely and comfortably in their homes. We also want them to feel proud of the places they call home.
That’s why we launched our Neighbourhoods and Specialist Housing service earlier this year - bringing us closer to our customers and the communities we serve. Being closer to our customers means getting to know them more personally. Our colleagues spend more time in our neighbourhoods, with our customers. We’ve introduced welfare checks where we check in on our customers regularly. It may be that we haven’t heard from them, or we’re unable to gain access to carry out compliance checks – we’re making sure we contact our customers, ensuring that they’re okay and all is well within their home.
One of our customers, Isa (61) has lived in her Hyde home in Stockwell since the 1980s. Life for her took a drastic turn earlier this year when she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, limiting her mobility and independence. Her disability also left her using crutches and unable to work.
During a welfare visit, Hyde Neighbourhood Officer, Concetta quickly established that Isa wasn’t coping. Her garden had become overgrown, and she didn’t know where to turn for help. Concetta referred Isa to Hyde Advice and Advocacy Advisor, Shareen, who then worked with social services to support Isa with occupational therapy appointments and disability benefits.
Shareen also supported Isa by making an application on Match My Project, to get her garden groomed. Isa was matched with our landscaping contractor, Groundscapes, who agreed to carry out the work free of charge.
Match My Project is our social value matching platform, where our supply chain partners can support our customers and community groups.
Groundscapes carried out the work in just one day. The work included uprooting an ever-growing tree, cutting grass and weeding the entire garden. They laid fresh soil for Isa to customise as she likes.
Isa is now feeling happier and looking forward to enjoying her new garden.
She said: “The guys were so friendly and kind and left me with some useful tips. I’m really happy with the work they did. I’ve bought some seeds to beautify the garden, which my friend and her nephew have agreed to help me plant. I even bought a new garden furniture set and look forward to doing some reading out there.”
“Thank you to Concetta and Shareen. Not only have they supported me with my garden and health issues – but they’ve been a listening ear. It’s nice to just be able to talk to someone face to face. We’ve become friendly, which has been good for my mental health. I was feeling very depressed with everything that was going on, and now my spirit is lifted, thanks to the support from Hyde.”
Neighbours in the flats above are also pleased with the worked carried out, as the tree in Isa’s garden had grown so tall it blocked the natural light and made it difficult for them to open their windows.
Now that the work in the garden is out of the way, Isa is laser focused on her health and regaining her strength. Isa is hopeful that she’ll be able to return to work and get back to normal life after her leg operation in November.
We’re continuing to work with Isa to make sure she has all the support she needs.