Getting to know Doreen helps her move go with a swing

Doreen Hart has lived in Bethnal Green all her life. So when she decided to move she didn’t expect to be offered a home round the corner from where she already lived.

“I was born in Old Bethnal Green Road; evacuated when I was 7years old until 11, and spent most of my life on the Poets Estate in Bethnal Green. I love it round here. People look out for each other.”

Doreen couldn’t believe her luck when she was offered a property designated for the elderly right in the heart of Bethnal Green.

“I was over the moon” she says. “I couldn’t be happier. I already knew some of my neighbours before I moved in!”

Less than a week of viewing the property Doreen was paid a visit by our floating support service. Through talking to Doreen they were able to work out what support she might need once she moved including a support worker to help her claim housing benefit, access Council services and pay her rent.

Knowing the move would be disruptive for Doreen, the elderly persons decorating team re-decorated the entire flat over a weekend - at no extra cost to THH - before she moved in.

“I couldn’t have asked for more.” Doreen says. “I was able to move in to a really lovely, clean home a week and a half after I viewed it. The support offered by staff has been great. There’s a few teething troubles that need seeing to – that’s only to be expected when you move into a new home - but my housing officer is already on the case and getting things sorted.”

Lisa McCann and Yasmin Nahim, Doreen’s neighbourhood housing officers said delivering a good housing service is not just about putting roofs over heads. Lisa said, “It’s about getting to know residents better so that we can tailor our services to suit them. We’re delighted Doreen is happy in her new home. It makes our job really worthwhile.”