Get to know your Neighbourhood team | Tenant news

Our Neighbourhood Manager, Andrea Bedward (below right) talks to us about what makes her a good neighbour, her one big question for tenants and the most unexpected things that have happened to her while out and about on Habinteg’s schemes.


Which area of the country do you manage?
North London, my area has 11 London boroughs.

How would you describe your job in 30 words?
At various times it’s rewarding, demanding, challenging, satisfying, hard work, emotional, stressful, busy, fast-paced, professional, creative, supportive, flexible and, many times, good fun & a source of constant learning.

What is the best thing about your job?
When tenants and co-workers appreciate what I’m doing… especially tenants.

What is the strangest thing you’ve been asked by a tenant?
Are you married to an Englishman or a West Indian man?

What’s an unexpected thing that’s happens to you on a scheme?
If I’m on a scheme with a male colleague, tenants usually assume that I work for him!

If you had to be CEO of Habinteg/ your scheme for one week, what would you do?
I’d have all of the Neighbourhood Team visit my schemes so we could share what good and bad practice looks like. I’d arrange for residents to meet with me in that week to hear how satisfied they are with our service, and then use this information – including information from local staff - to look at how we can improve services.

If you could bring all the tenants of your scheme together in one place and ask one thing, what would you ask?
What one thing could we do to make your community better?

You have a bonus holiday (1 day) for being a great Neighbourhood Manager – how do you spend it?
With my family.

Which of these programmes would you appear in Neighbours, Love Thy Neighbour, and The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door?
Neighbours if this is my only choice, but if I could choose anything, I’d rather appear in The Real Housewives. 

How would your neighbours describe you?  
I think neighbours on both sides would describe me as a respectful neighbour I don’t get involved in their business and I’m supportive when needed. One neighbour has said to me: “My wife and I were talking about selling and we stopped and said to each other, ‘where would we get neighbours like you again’.”