Share this article:
Our staff are working tirelessly in challenging conditions to support our residents (and each other) through the Coronavirus crisis. Katie is managing our London Road accommodation in Nottingham. She took some time out of her day to answer some questions.
How has the Coronavirus impacted on you?
I have not seen my parents or in-laws for 5 weeks who would normal provide child care for my daughter, who has also not seen them for this time. So due to this myself and my husband have also split our working shifts to look after her… so unlike most of the country we have not had any quality time together for 5 weeks as we are ships that pass in the night!
How has the Coronavirus impacted your service?
I have been seconded to manage London Road. We’ve had staff shortages and staff anxieties around social distancing in the service. Also we are concerned about how to safely feed 55 residents twice a day.
What have you done in response?
We’ve had some amazing redeployed Homelessness Prevention Service workers who are doing an amazing job covering shifts and keeping the service up and running in these challenging times. We have also introduced a 2 in 2 out take-away meals service in the dining room so residents still get fed but maintain social distancing.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Two weeks before lock down started I agreed to a six month secondment as service manager at London road I started on March 30ths – my first time working in city services and my first time stepping up as a service manager. Oh what a time to step up!
I catch a train every day from Doncaster (where I live) to Nottingham which due to Covid has its own new set of challenges of provide proof of my journey. Though the transport police said to me when I showed them my ID badge “ oh you work for Framework, you can travel as much as you like!
Despite all this I am enjoying and embracing the change, trying my best to keep the service running and keep up staff morale, we will get through this as a time and come out the other end.
