Nicole’s long connection with South Yorkshire Housing Association began when she was a little girl and her family moved into their new home in Sheffield. Nicole can’t remember her previous home, so the house holds her earliest childhood memories. She said:
“It’s the only house I remember – I will have been quite young when I moved there. I have two sisters and the road was all families who grew up together. Lots of the parents still live on the road now too!”
Nicole has always loved the house and the street, and fondly remembers growing up there with her siblings and the lively buzz of activities, celebrations and visitors.
In her late teenage years, Nicole moved out and lived abroad for a while. When she returned to Sheffield at the age of 19, she moved in with her cousin who rented a Sheffield City Council flat. Nicole lived there for a few years and when her cousin moved out, Nicole stayed and then started her own family. Nicole went on to have four children and the flat became too small, so she began to look for a new home.
Nicole’s Mum was still living in the family home, but was finding that the house was too big now that her daughters had moved out. Nicole said:
“It was having an impact on her wellbeing – when we moved away, the house was very quiet and she began to feel lonely.”
Nicole’s Mum was keen for her to remain living locally and suggested the swap, which was a success and became permanent. Nicole has now been back at her family home for ten years and her Mum is still living at the flat and is now quite attached to it.
Nicole and her children really enjoy living on the street – she says that the local schools are good, she likes the location, and her children share the same room that she shared with her own sister.
Over the years, the street has also enjoyed street parties with musicians and everyone bringing food and having a great time.
“Everyone is proud of the street. Residents come out and pick up litter and neighbours will put each other’s bin out and put them back. We have mutual respect and understanding for each other. I feel very safe here.”
More about home swapping
All of our tenants have the option to swap homes with tenants from other social landlords, councils and housing associations across the UK.
A mutual exchange home swap can happen for many reasons, such as needing more (or less) space, moving for work or to be closer to family. It gives you more opportunity to decide where you live and means you’re able to choose a home that suits your needs.
To make finding a swap as easy as possible, we work with HomeSwapper, the UK’s largest home swap register. HomeSwapper is used by most local housing associations and councils and has over 200,000 homes listed. We pay an annual subscription so that you can use it free of charge.
