We're supporting Safeguarding Adults Week and one of the themes involves how we work in partnership with tenants to help keep them safe.
An important part of working with our tenants is establishing mutual trust, which can be challenging to build if people have been affected by events in their lives which have given them a sense of vulnerability.
We’re working with an older tenant who sadly lost a close relative to suicide and also found herself to be the victim of a scam, losing more than £6,000.
Understandably, the psychological effects and trauma of both the scam and the earlier bereavement have significantly affected her feelings of security and trust in others.
Southway’s tenancy support team provides a trauma-informed service and staff are trained to recognise where tenants might need extra help to overcome the impact trauma has had on their lives and a member of this team reached out to this tenant.
They talked about the tenant’s family photos which prompted the tenant to share positive stories about her family, which created a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. As the tenant became more engaged and less anxious, she felt safe enough to disclose the details of the financial scam. This approach not only eased the tenant’s initial apprehension but also established trust, paving the way for deeper discussions about her experiences and concerns.
By providing a safe and supportive environment, the tenant was able to share her story and express her needs and report repairs needed in her home. She expressed relief in finally feeling able to share her experiences, noting that in the past, attempts to recount her story would leave her feeling too shaken.
She said that since the scam she had developed a strong aversion to answering calls from unknown numbers, fearing further scams or threats. This apprehension has limited her willingness to engage in certain types of communication, leaving her more isolated and reluctant to access support
While the tenant only wanted to be contacted via letter, we felt this came with a risk of her being isolated further and we are now working with the tenant at her own pace to make sure she has access to all the support services she needs.