Over the past few weeks, we’ve been running a series of articles to highlight the great work in each of our zones - a series we are calling “In the Zone.”
The series gives the team in each zone to talk about their successes, what makes them tick, what makes the Housing First model great and give them a space to talk about their key achievements.
In the third of the series, we spoke to the team who deliver the service in Tameside, Oldham, Stockport - Zone C.
Team members: Ursula, Claire, Michael, Tim, Amy, Emma, Daniel, Samantha, Matthew, Holly, Saleha, Diane, Dominic
What is your team’s top three biggest achievements?
The level of our face-to-face engagement with our people is always high and that helps with our outcomes. We work collaboratively with partners across local authority boundaries, across zones and with a network of partners to ensure we help our people as well as we can.
As a team, we are totally solid and we have each other's backs. Our bond is very strong and we are there for each other and we enjoy spending time with each other out of work as well as in.
What makes your team unique?
Zone C is always well represented on the various panels and forums. We are always in the room and we always make our voice heard. We live the Housing First principles and are totally committed to system change and we are always happy to share knowledge within the team and across the partnership thanks to our diverse range of knowledge and experience.
Tell us something interesting/surprising about your team?
Our bond is very strong and we can lean on each other when we need too. We tackle the job with resilience and humour and support each other.
What thing as a team are you most proud of?
Our outcomes and achievements stand out as the thing we are most proud of as we have helped some of the most vulnerable people in the region.
What piece of advice/best practice would you give to other teams working in the multiple disadvantage space?
You need to expect the unexpected and be ready to meet any challenge with tenacity and patience, whilst having the principles as the baseline of what you do, but always remember to think about your own wellbeing. Always ask for help if you need it and take advantage of the expertise of colleagues and other services.
Sum up your team in three words?
Zone C = Caring-Collaborative-Committed.