We want our communities to work for everyone. We support customers by helping them run activities or services which promote community spirit on estates. One example of this is our 'Too Old To Learn- Never!' customer and staff group, which helps older people to become digitally enabled through peer learning. Others examples are customer-led gardening and lunch clubs.  

We are also funded by Sport England to lead three partnership projects which support people to become, or remain, physically active. Full details of the projects are found in the 'Partnership Working section of our website.

Tenancy support

We provide a Customer Welfare Service in our sheltered housing schemes and offer daily visits to those customers who require this service.

These expert providers are commissioned to provide support services in our supported housing schemes.

• Together for those with mental health difficulties
• Leeway for victims of domestic violence
• Mencap for those with learning difficulties

Our Tenancy services officers make referrals to housing support agencies where a need is identified and a support service exists. We also signpost to voluntary sector providers and advice agencies such as Shelter and MAP (Mancroft Advice Project).

Financial inclusion

We help customers manage their money effectively and independently by:

• Carrying our Affordability Checks before we grant tenancies to help us understand risks and support vulnerable customers
• Signposting to specialist advice services
• Checking that our customers receive the correct benefits and assisting them to maximise income
• Offering affordable loans through Places for People Financial Services

Tackling worklessness

We help our unemployed customers get back into work. We do this by:

• Offering volunteering opportunities in our offices and sheltered schemes
• Working with contractors to create apprenticeships for young people
• Running short placements for people who express an interest working in social housing
• Working with Job Centre Plus to offer short work placements via campaigns such as Norwich for Jobs
• Working in partnership with Norwich MINT to help young people facing barriers into employment. We usually offer two placements to young people referred through MINT at any time

Find out more

Get in touch at housing@cotman-housing.org.uk if you need any further information about any of the above.