Being a Neighbourhood Manager
There isn’t a typical day for a Neighbourhood Manager, everyday provides new challenges, responsibilities and opportunities to support residents. “I take the lead on managing tenancies, resolving communal issues, addressing disputes between residents, and responding to wider safety and neighbourhood concerns,” Aleks says.
Neighbourhood Managers are the main link between residents and services like Repairs, Income, ASB, Customer Contact Centre and Legal Services. For Aleks a key priority is meeting residents’ needs. “It’s so important for residents to feel safe, supported and heard in their homes and communities, particularly those with vulnerabilities or additional needs,” Aleks says.
Aleks’s work extends beyond routine tenancy matters. He recently supported a resident facing severe hoarding and disrepair issues that were affecting the home’s condition and the resident’s wellbeing. “I worked closely with the resident over time to build trust and understand the underlying causes to bring in the right support” Aleks said.
Together with colleagues and external partners the items were cleared from the home and the resident received continued support from the local authority. “I’ve continued to maintain regular contact to ensure the situation remains stable,” Aleks added.
Hybrid working to support residents
Aleks balances office duties in Ealing with regular visits to his communities, making sure he stays visible and accessible to residents. “Monday I usually focus on reviewing emails and cases raised over the weekend,” he explains.
“Tuesday I typically spend out engaging with residents through walkarounds, inspections, and home visits to understand their needs. When I’m out, people are more likely to raise things early which means I can step in and sort things before they escalate,” Aleks says.
On Wednesday, Aleks is usually back at his desk in Ealing with his door open for residents to drop by. “This gives them the opportunity to ask questions or seek advice in a more direct and accessible way,” he explains. On Thursday, Aleks concentrates on follow-ups and moving cases towards resolution.
Listening to residents
Direct communication is a key part of Aleks’ role, so he sets aside Friday for home visits. “This personal approach helps build trust and ensures residents feel heard and recognised. That focus on listening and responding to what residents’ need is at the heart of how A2Dominion teams work in their communities,” he says.
All that being said, life isn’t always straight forward. "Some days all plans are thrown out to respond to an emergency, whether for a serious safeguarding issue or problem with someone’s home. Some weeks I’m out and about every day. Neighbourhood Management isn’t for someone that likes perfect order!,” Aleks admits.
Making a difference
Being a Neighbourhood Manager is more than just a job for Aleks, it’s an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. “Throughout my career, I’ve remained passionate about helping people find a home, and feel settled and supported where they live. That motivation continues to drive my work today, especially in a frontline role where I can see the direct impact on residents and communities,” Aleks says.
