As well as delivering our own in-house training we work with partners across the country to facilitate workshops that work for tenants and housing teams. Here are just some of the reasons housing associations and authorities love working with us.
We’re all about building confidence AND skills
Our training not only covers everything trainees need to thrive and sustain their tenancies; it also builds their confidence. By concentrating on facilitating learning that covers a range of topics we ensure trainees come away with skills for life, not just life skills. By addressing the connection between changes in circumstances and tenancy sustainment we enable trainees to see and understand the link. People who understand what makes a great tenant are much more likely to maintain tenancies in a positive way and find their own solutions – building resilience. We empower trainees by bringing out their confidence through a strengths-based and restorative approach.
Our Tenancy & Independent Living Skills Plus (TILS+) and DigiTILS+ (its digital cousin) workshops are made up of twenty-four modules that can be combined with an additional eight TILS++ ones. TILS+ and DigiTILS+ cover a range of issues tenants may be facing such as paying the rent, setting up their bills, tenants rights as well as responsibilities, debt and APR, bills and can even include soft employment skills and communication. In this way TILS++ (the extra + is for employability too) is more focused on the soft and hard skills trainees need to get and, most importantly, keep a job. 65% of people who’ve gone through TILS++ support have moved into employment, so we know it works and it works well! Together we choose the modules that are most suited to your goals and the goals of your tenants to build bespoke workshops.
We work with people of all ages and backgrounds
We know the sad reality is that homelessness can affect anyone, which is why we work with people of all ages and backgrounds. We work with people pre-tenancy to ensure they know how to be an amazing tenant, during their tenancy to help regain confidence, or with those facing difficulties with rent or on the cusp of eviction to prevent the worst. The important thing to us is that everyone has access to our workshops to unlock their potential and enable them to maintain safe and secure tenancies.
We work anywhere and in any venue
Although our HQ is in Norwich, we recognise the importance of travelling to where we’re most needed. Maximising engagement is key to success and one of the easiest ways to do this is by delivering training in the best way for trainees. We recognise that travelling can be a major barrier for many trainees, so as a social enterprise we’re happy to go anywhere we’ve been commissioned to make an impact. We’ll travel to any venue necessary to help us achieve our mission of preventing homelessness.
We take a blended approach to training
The best way for us to achieve our mission of preventing homelessness is by delivering accessible training. We strongly believe that blended delivery is the future and that’s why our DigiTILS+ interactive Zoom training is here to stay. Forming part of our future delivery plan, it’s another avenue for us to reach as many people as possible in the way that works best for them. If trainees are facing issues with connectivity or a lack of suitable digital device we can deliver and set up devices and provide data and internet access to overcome this. We genuinely believe the best way to get people engaged is by building up their confidence so if trainees have confidence issues with digital delivery we work with them to help them get the know-how they need.
By working in the way that trainees feel most comfortable we keep engagement high. If we need to deliver training during evenings and weekends, we’re happy to! We’re also happy to facilitate training to small groups or on a 1-2-1 basis digitally or in person.
We provide a comprehensive Engagement Strategy
One of our core beliefs is that engagement is the key to successful workshops. Engaged trainees are far more likely to feel comfortable participating and therefore more likely to walk away with the knowledge and skills they need to maintain tenancies. As part of our work with you, we provide a comprehensive engagement strategy that ensures successful delivery. Trainees needs are at the centre of everything we do so we’ll happily deliver workshops in whatever format at whatever time works best for them.
If you’d like more information about how Your Own Place can help you, get in touch via our contact us page or email rebecca@yourownplace.org.uk