Social housing provider, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust’s (bdht) is once again bolstering an ever growing workforce with a new appointment to their growing Housing Options team.

Samantha, the latest new starter, has joined the bdht team as a domestic abuse housing officer. With an already enriched experience in the role, she will be assisting families and individuals who have experienced domestic abuse and supporting them in rebuilding their life and finding housing to help them do that.

The role entails helping residents in their hour of need and taking them through the entire process of how bdht will support them get to where they want to be, the role evolves on a daily basis as no two cases are the same and may entail tasks such as meeting with police and social services or visiting new homes with customers.

Samantha, Domestic Abuse Housing Officer said: “Personal history has a big place in my heart as to why I wanted to do this job. People often think I am crazy when I say I really love my job, it might not always be nice, but having a hand in helping to see someone flourish in a way they never thought they could is just so rewarding.

“Bdht are so forward thinking and we really care about our customers, nothing is too much of an issue to go that extra mile for a particular case. Every house where domestic abuse has taken place is so different, and every single person that I work with will communicate differently and have individual needs and special solutions that need to be put in place. At bdht, we like to spread a really positive ethos that you can come to us, tell us and we will help, which you don’t always get in other places, and to be part of this team is really amazing.”

When asked what people should do to support those who may be a victim of domestic abuse, her advice is, “I think to believe them and to not shrug it off as being normal behaviour. If we all just spoke, women and men, about our relationships and highlighted when something doesn’t feel right, I think people would be so much more aware and forthcoming with speaking up. I regularly hear people say they just thought it was a normal relationship. We all strive to paint this picture of our perfect lives and flawless relationships and sometimes this normalises bad behaviour, If we were all just that bit more open and honest it would really help people who were genuinely in trouble.

“I am looking forward to working with the housing options team and doing my bit to help customers when they need us most.”

Bdht are currently working towards achieving DAHA (Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance) accreditation. DAHA accreditation is the UK benchmark for how housing providers should respond to domestic abuse in the UK and shows that bdht are committed to an organisational approach for recognising and supporting victims of domestic abuse and raising awareness within the sector.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 or email our team at housingoptions@bdht.co.uk

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