Tara Horner | Arawak Walton | Housing Services Manager
Please provide a brief description of your duties.
TH: Because we're a relatively small organisation, my remit is pretty wide-ranging. I manage a team of generic Housing Officers, who for their part, deliver all of the organisations housing management functions to our general needs tenants. Allocations & Lettings, Income Management, Neighbour Nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour, Tenancy Management, Community Engagement - they do it all!
I am also Safeguarding Lead for, coordinating our response to disrepair claims, taking care of the aids and adaptations process, and owning all of the policies and procedures in my area of operation. And a partridge in a pear tree.
What’s the best part of your job?
TH: I would have to say two things here - first of all, having contact with our tenants. As a Manager, your contact with the people you're there to serve can be limited. The occasions I do get to interact with our tenants are always a welcome reminder of why we are here, what we are working for, and why we do what we do. Secondly, my Team. I feel really lucky to work alongside a group of people who care passionately about what they do, and who genuinely care for one another too.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your role since the beginning of the pandemic?
TH: Homeschooling whilst working full time was really, really challenging. Juggling the emotional impact of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions on a little boy, trying also to be his teacher, whilst simultaneously trying to do my job. Yep, that was tough.
What’s a valuable lesson you’ve learnt during the pandemic?
TH: The importance of a work/life balance, and connecting with nature. I know how that sounds, and really anyone who knows me might be surprised by that answer as I am very practical by nature and don't tend to have much time for 'fluffy stuff'. But during the lockdowns, getting out for a daily walk, watching the ducks on the canal near our house having babies, then watching them get bigger and grow, was great for calming the mind and reminded you that actually, life was carrying on. Despite what you saw on the news, this wasn't the end of days and all would, eventually, be well.
If you had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
TH: Can I say anything with cheese? A variety of cheese inclusive dishes. Is that allowed? I love cheese.
Who would be your perfect celebrity dinner guest and why?
TH: David Livingstone. Working-class, anti-slavery crusader, loved so much by the African people that when he died and his body was repatriated, they said his heart belonged in Africa, and they kept it and buried it under a tree in a village in Zambia, where it remains to this day.
Favourite band or artist?
TH: Can't choose just one! Usually something with an element of authenticity or rebellion - UB40, Bob Marley, Oasis, The Smiths.