For Careers Week, we’re talking to two of our brilliant keyworkers, who have shared more about their role, skills and experiences.
Meet Desney
Desney has been a keyworker at the Indigo Project for over four years. The Indigo Project provides homes in Rotherham and Barnsley for vulnerable single adults who are sleeping rough, through the Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme (RSAP). The project provides homes and collaborates with partners to support people to achieve their goals and aspirations to move on to independent living.
She said:
“I applied for the job as it was a new project and sounded really interesting and I wanted to help make a difference to people’s lives.”
What skills do you bring to your role and team?
“I am extremely patient, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. I show empathy and am very reliable and I genuinely want to make a difference in people’s lives. I am always here to help others, which includes my colleagues. We are a small team and we all work extremely hard to keep supporting our customers through any barriers and difficult periods in their lives. We are an amazing team and together we can achieve anything.”
What’s your favourite thing about being a keyworker?
“I enjoy meeting new people, and seeing customers progress and grow with the help and support from myself. The end goal, which is seeing them move on to what potentially could be their forever home, is extremely rewarding.”
How do you work with your customers at the Indigo Project?
“I support them on a weekly basis offering any support they need at that point in their lives. Everyone is different, and the customers I work with know that I am always here to help. My typical duties include initial assessments, referring to other agencies, and supporting customers to set up utilities and a bank account, attend GP and hospital appointments, and help to manage their finances.”
What would you say to someone thinking about applying for a keyworker vacancy?
“It can be a very challenging role where no two days are the same, and you never quite know what to expect. At times it can be very hectic and you do have to be very organised, however it is also a very rewarding job!”
How Desney supported Mohammed to take care of his health and wellbeing and find a long-term home.
Mohammed was referred to the Indigo Project in August 2023. He was being targeted by people who took advantage of his kind and caring nature. This had resulted in tenancies failing due to these individuals taking over his properties and causing anti-social behaviour, which had caused him to become homeless.
Mohammed needed the stability of a long-term and safe home. He needed to register with a GP and set up a bank account and required help and support for substance misuse.
Desney, Mohammed’s keyworker, supported him to set up utilities, a tv licence and make direct debit payments. Desney also supported Mohammed’s health and wellbeing by attending GP appointments, referring him to mental health support, as well as a referral to We are With You, for drug and alcohol support.
Desney also supported Mohammed with a budgeting plan and referred him to Citizens Advice for debt and benefit support. As Mohammed’s goal was to find a new home, Desney also supported Mohammed to apply for the housing register and helped him to bid when suitable properties become available. Desney said:
“Mohammed came to our project feeling extremely low and vulnerable. He lacked confidence and was very insecure. It took a while for him to trust me and to realise I was here to actually help and support him. With the help from We Are With You he is now no longer using and feels he is in a good place on the road to recovery.”
Getting back into work was also a goal for Mohammed, but he was feeling nervous about it, as he’d been out of work for many years. Desney told Mohammed about the new employment support trial for people experiencing homelessness, being delivered by South Yorkshire Housing Association’s Work and Wellbeing team, which Mohammed was keen to be referred to.
He is now meeting an employment specialist weekly to help him with his CV, job applications, interview practice and any other job related support he may need.
Mohammed has also now secured a one bedroom flat in an area close to his family and friends, which he is delighted about! Desney has supported Mohammed to move and settle into his new flat. Mohammed said:
“Desney, I am so grateful for everything you and SYHA have helped me with to get this far and stable. I don’t think I would have achieved this on my own initiative and finally it’s going to be the end of going from pillar to post. For a long while I’ve never felt settled and finally now I can do my home up properly. I’m so emotional and overwhelmed. I really can’t believe it and I keep pinching myself!”
