We chatted to our homelessness and benefits support worker Kevin about his 14 years at Emmanuel House

Last month, we wished Emmanuel House’s much-loved benefits support specialist Kevin a very happy retirement. After 14 years working with us, Kevin has been an incredibly valuable employee and we wish him all the best.

What first inspired you to start working at Emmanuel House as a benefits support specialist?

I worked at Emmanuel House for 14 years, before that I was volunteering at a local soup kitchen four nights a week. As part of my church, I came to Emmanuel House to do a listening ministry, until I noticed a job for a support worker stuck to the fridge and thought I’d apply.

I’ve always had a strong sense of social justice. I have always believed it is wrong that some people have to beg for food or have to sleep on benches and at the back of churches, particularly in this day and age. I wanted to do something positive and get an insight into how this kind of poverty can come about. A Benefits Specialist role came up two years later.

What does your role involve?

Part of my role was to navigate the complex benefits forms that some people might find bewildering. I advocated for people and helped them take the first step on their journey to help with their financial stability in order to survive and prosper. Over the years I’ve supported a few hundred people through this process. It’s never about judgement. Some people simply need help – it’s not about being better or worse.

What motivates you to support people?

When I started as a Benefits Specialist, the UK’s social security was a lot more liberal and there were many grants available. But, politically, the last 12 years have been horrid – they have been austere, adversarial and never on the side of people who are disadvantaged. These challenges motivated me to help people even more.

What elements of your job do you like the most?

It was important to me to recognise beneficiaries and always use their name. It’s such a simple thing, but I can think of times when I may have been the only person that uses someone’s name that day. It’s very affirming.

I have won most of the tribunals I have worked on. This involves taking my client in front of a magistrate’s court when their disability benefits application has been denied. These tribunals give people the chance to explain how their disability affects them and convince a magistrate that they have grounds for payment.

I produced the papers on my clients’ behalf and helped them construct the arguments that they’re going to use to show the court that they have been misjudged. I gave my clients the encouragement to advocate for themselves and speak openly about how they’ve been affected – inside the tribunals, I didn’t have space to talk until the end, so it was important my clients could speak for themselves.  

What will you miss about working at Emmanuel House?

I’ll miss everyone in the Emmanuel House team. Emmanuel House is a place of love, grace and healing. It is a truly special place. We all care – we care for each other and we care for people we work with. Some service users think that support workers are powerful people but we simply have a better understanding of the situations.

Tell us about one of your favourite memories of working at Emmanuel House

One of the things I love about Emmanuel House is that it has always been somewhere to get a cup of tea and there have been many opportunities for us to sing and create artwork. Anyone can join in. I hope we maintain this for people’s wellbeing and mental health.

Emmanuel House Support Centre is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for showers, clothing and one-to-one appointments for housing, tenancy and benefits support. Read more about the Access Team’s provision of basic services for people at risk of homelessness in Nottingham.