Abisola’s journey from Nigeria to the UK: a story of strength and community

23/09/2024

For Black History Month, we are shining a spotlight on Abisola, our Rents and Income Manager. Abisola has been a valued member of our HARCA family for almost 17 years. She’s made a significant impact on our community and contributes to making east London a great place to live. We want to celebrate her achievements at work and learn more about her personal story.

“My Nigerian roots”

Abisola moved to the UK over 20 years ago. She brought with her the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria, a country known for its vibrant diversity, colourful traditions, and a strong sense of community.

Abisola said: “Nigeria is a very colourful, vibrant country. There are hundreds of ethnic groups coming together to make up the country.”

Abisola

Growing up in Nigeria, Abisola was part of a society where helping others was a fundamental value, and she carried this with her across continents. “That sense of community and being there for each other is what I brought with me here.’’

This deep-rooted sense of community is evident in her approach to her work; it’s not just about collecting rent, but about supporting residents in an holistic way.

A journey of growth with us

“I began my career at Poplar HARCA 17 years ago as a Customer Service Officer. At the time, I was eager to make a difference and learn as much as I could. The role allowed me to connect with tenants, understand their needs, and provide solutions that made a difference in their lives.”

This early experience laid the groundwork for Abisola’s future roles within our organisation.

Over the years, Abisola has held various positions, each one building on the last. She has expanded her understanding of the housing sector, and the needs of our community. Today, as the Rents and Income Manager, she leads a team of 11 people. They work with other teams and external partners to support our tenants. This ensures our residents have the resources and guidance needed to continue living their homes, even when they face financial difficulties.

Supporting tenants through challenges

Abisola emphasises that her role is “not just about collecting money,” but about helping people stay in their homes. Her team actively support tenants facing financial difficulties by offering practical advice, connecting them with benefits, external agencies, and setting up manageable payment plans.

“From the start of the tenancy, I make sure my staff are building relationships with our tenants, so they know who we are. If they have any problems, they can come to us and talk about what’s going on.” The team also works closely with our Safeguarding, Housing and Repairs teams to ensure vulnerable tenants receive the support they need.

Her team’s focus is on early intervention. “One of the major things that we’re known for is our early intervention ethos. We monitor rent accounts and reach out to tenants at the first sign of financial trouble.”

This approach helps find solutions before issues get worse, often preventing eviction. Abisola adds: “We send out quarterly statements, so tenants know when they’re falling behind, and we work with them on payment plans that are affordable. We also support those in hardship by connecting them to grants, food banks, and community centres.”

Abisola shares an example of her team’s work, describing how they helped an elderly tenant who was on the verge of eviction after years of unpaid rent. The tenant wasn’t eligible for housing benefits. “We had to go over and above to help this person. To help this person access funds that will help them pay their rent. But it was just not about accessing this fund, but also helping them to access help with social services and making sure that the Safeguarding team was aware.”

In the end, the tenant received the help they needed to stay in their home, and the team continues to monitor their account to prevent future problems.

Why Abisola has worked with us for 17 years

Abisola has stayed with us for many years because of our “resident-led approach.” She shares: “I have a sense of community, and I like to help. I’ve stayed with the organisation because I believe in its mission and the positive impact we have on our community.”

Our commitment to both tenants and staff has allowed for a space where Abisola feels valued and motivated to make a difference every day. She adds: “I’ve had the opportunity to take on new challenges, and the ethos of the organisation fits with how I view the world.”

Advice for moving up in your career

Starting as a Customer Service Officer and progressing to manage a team of 11 people, Abisola shares that her journey is about wanting to expand her skills, building relationships, and making a meaningful impact. For anyone looking to advance in their careers, Abisola shares that you should “put yourself out there and be willing to learn.”

In every role that Abisola has taken with us, she wants to learn more. “I do rents, but I am trying to learn what the antisocial behaviour team are doing, I’m trying to learn what everyone is doing. So, if you ask me to do something I want to be able to help and if I can’t do it, I will learn how I can help”.

Abisola’s Nigerian upbringing gave her a strong love for community, which she’s brought with her to the UK and into her roles. Her story and work show how commitment and caring for others can achieve great things