Sign of the Times
A hearing impaired council tenant is getting regular updates on how Sheffield Homes’ building work will affect him, thanks to an employee who has learned sign language.
65-year-old Albert Jones, from Woodfarm Close, Stannington in north west Sheffield, now gets visits every Monday and Friday from Sheffield Homes’ Investment Team member, Gabby Cockayne.
She’s been seeing him since early May, just before work was due to start in the area on upgrading 80 properties, as part of the company’s city-wide multi-million pound Decent Homes investment programme.
“Gabby first asked to do a sign language course when she worked on reception so she could provide that bit of extra help to hearing impaired visitors,” said Sheffield Homes’ Area Manager, Surjan Tiwana.
“Since joining the investment team, she’s really been able to put her skills into action in explaining all the work to Mr Jones. We are all very proud of her and absolutely delighted that she’s enabled us to provide such a personal service to one of our tenants. There’s no doubt it prevented Mr Jones from any distress he might have suffered through not understanding exactly what was happening.”
Representatives from works contractor, Connaught, also visit Mr Jones and other tenants daily to answer any queries.
“If Gabby’s needed any other time, Connaught lets her know and she visits straight away,” said Surjan Tiwana.
Stannington is one of the first areas to come on stream in Sheffield Homes’ £1bn five-year Decent Homes programme.
Houses are being upgraded and refurbished with work geared to need and ranging from new kitchens and bathrooms to heating systems and external improvements. The bulk of the council’s 50,000-plus housing stock is expected to benefit from the project in the next few years.
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Press contact: Neil Anderson on 01142 257080 (office) or 07779 292212 (mobile).