The Tenant Support Service aims to provide a variety of additional help and support for tenants — for example: completing forms, applying for benefits, personal and home safety, healthy eating, training, housekeeping, arrears/bill management, G.P. registration, etc. Typically support will be given from 6 weeks to 2 years. 

Housing is a fundamental part of anyone’s life which may be impacted by issues such as poverty, debt, stress, domestic violence, abuse, neighbour harassment, lack of supporting family ties, drug or alcohol misuse, mental health, etc.   By providing additional housing support it is hoped that the tenant will be able to remain in their existing accommodation as this will help to develop a more secure and stable community. For new and existing rented sector tenants and owner occupiers across North Down. The Tenant Support Service is available for those aged 18 and over and is available for all tenants in the North Down area from offices based in the YMCA at 39 Queen’s Parade, Bangor.  

The Tenant Support Service works to deliver outcomes in line with the Supporting People national framework, building services around the needs of programme participants so that we maximise opportunity and minimise risk.  The five outcome areas are: Economic Well-being, Enjoying and Achieving, Being Healthy, Staying Safe and Making a Positive Contribution.

Participation is voluntary and individuals can be referred by the Housing Executive, Social Workers, GP’s, Voluntary Organisations or by self referral. The individual will be visited by a Support Worker from the YMCA who will assess if we can help.

If the person is eligible and wants to be part of the programme the Support Worker will     then develop a plan with the person to set aims and review it every few weeks.

What participants say …

“It has helped me to get out of the house and get involved”

“So much within the service – friendship / courses / fun / never a dull moment”

Through:

Home visits

Individual action plans

One to one sessions and group work

The programme includes:

Independent living skills

Money and debt management

Building self esteem

Personal and household hygiene

Safety in the home

Simple DIY and home decoration

Parenting skills

If you are interested in finding out more about the Tenants’ Support Service contact Sharon Titterington (Opt 8) or Pat O’Driscoll on 028 9145 4290 (Opt.5) or e-mail either This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Community Support Programme

This project provids support for those who live in the North Down and Ards area, do not have a current support service and:

1. may have alcohol-related problems but not be motivated to address them;
2. may have a personality disorder;
3. do not have a diagnosed mental illness, but experience depression;
4. may be outside the remit of the learning disabilities services;
5. may be asylum seekers;
6. may be homeless or at risk of homelessness.
7. are aged between 18 and 65
8. sit outside the existing programmes of care.

Support, aimed at helping the individual live independently, can include budgeting skills, helping to build social networks, housekeeping, healthy eating and advocacy.

Successful outcomes would hopefully include integration into the existing community infrastructure and society, an increased ability to manage money, effectively communicate and a healthier lifestyle to name but a few.

For further details or a referral form please contact Leza Blair on 028 91 454290 (opt 1) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it