“The fact that I get to make a difference to people’s lives, that’s what makes this role so special.”

As well as being responsible for Freebridge Community Housing’s 17 sheltered schemes, Housing Support Manager Sammy Doak helps tenants to find the right solutions to a range of challenges they face. This can include hoarding, social isolation, and financial issues which Sammy works together with internal and external partners to address.

Sammy said: “I support our most vulnerable tenants to find solutions by understanding the situation, showing empathy, building rapport, and coming up with a plan that can work.”

In 2017, Sammy and his family fulfilled an ambition and relocated to west Norfolk. “Our friends had moved to King’s Lynn and every time we came to see them we liked the area more and more. It’s the heritage, the pace of life, the friendliness of the people that attracted us to west Norfolk.”

Prior to joining Freebridge, Sammy had worked with Hertfordshire Police, his career spanning roles as a PC and detective before working in safer neighbourhoods and community safety partnership. With the police, Sammy had worked closely with housing providers which ignited his interest in the housing sector.

“I always though housing would be a good career and I wasn’t wrong. I absolutely love working for Freebridge. The people I work with are amazing. And for me it’s all about making a difference to people’s lives, which we really do – getting a thank you from a tenant is really special. I would encourage anyone to work for Freebridge.”

For Sammy, empowerment – one of Freebridge’s values – is really significant in his role: “I want to empower my team and our tenants. It is so important that I empower my colleagues to make a difference to our most vulnerable people.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to work in west Norfolk. Everyone works together, everyone wants a positive result, and there so many highly skilled people who want to make a difference. In west Norfolk, people go the extra mile to help each other.”