HOMELIFE

September 2023

Yogesh Mata-Badul, who had been made redundant from his previous company where he worked as a Data Protection Officer, has recently started his new job as a Resident Liaison Officer for Durkan.

The role means he will be the main contact at Durkan for L&Q residents who will have works to their home carried out by them this year. His recruitment is one of the results of their commitment to promote local skills and employment as part of their contract to work with L&Q.

Over the next 15 years, our biggest-ever Major Works Investment Programme will make sure every resident has a safe and decent home to live in. As part of the programme, we’ll be carrying out a huge range of improvements to buildings and homes, including works to improve energy performance and fire safety, communal decorations, and the installation of around 48,000 new kitchens and 42,000 new bathrooms.

We wanted to make sure that the programme has a positive impact on residents and communities beyond the quality of their homes, which is why we and our partners are committed to social value initiatives such as offering employment and training opportunities to local people.

Being an L&Q resident himself has helped Yogesh, who has lived in Barking Riverside for two and a half years, support other residents who are having works carried out as part of the programme.

He said: “I’m enjoying it very much. I’m working with two great guys, who have made me feel so welcome.

“They’ve shown me everything, even stuff outside of what I need to know which is great because knowledge is power. It’s been great learning the ropes.

“Being an L&Q resident has helped me a lot with the role. I have that extra intel on problems or situations that other residents might be dealing with.”

L&Q’s Head of Delivery, Colin Denwood, said:

“Durkan's approach to working with residents is a great demonstration of how the new 15-year partnering contract can really benefit our residents and communities.”

Sonia Carmichael, Managing Resident Liaison Officer at Durkan, said:

“Yogesh has now been with Durkan for just over a month and is settling very well with our teams and learning processes on site.

“Durkan is providing support and training on the job which Yogesh is enjoying. We’re pleased we’ve been able to promote local employment in the area in which we’re working and we’re really happy to have Yogesh on board."