Meet Our Maintenance Team

The friendly face of Zetetick in the community

At Zetetick Housing, our Maintenance Team does far more than fix broken taps or replace lightbulbs — they’re a vital part of our mission to create safe, comfortable and empowering homes for people with learning disabilities and autism.

This month, we spoke with Andy, one of the newest members of the South East team, and Horace, a long-standing member based in Croydon. Together, they shared their experiences, stories from the job, and what empowerment means to them.

A Day in the Life

For Andy, no two days are the same.

“I’m in early, around 7:30am, for our morning debrief. We go over the jobs for the day — from dripping taps to broken windows — and then get straight to it. The work is so varied that the time flies by.”

Horace agrees:

“We start with emergencies and make appointments with staff and tenants. Sometimes when we arrive, there’s more to do than expected, so it’s about staying flexible and getting everything reported and sorted quickly.”

Both highlight that communication and trust are as important as the practical work itself.

Going the Extra Mile

Horace recalls one Christmas morning when a tenant’s kitchen flooded from a burst pipe.

“I put on my wellies and stayed until 4pm fixing the problem so they could come home to a dry kitchen after Christmas. It’s all about making sure tenants feel safe and supported.”

Andy describes a similar experience during a severe rainstorm:

“We had flooding from the roof down — like a waterfall through the ceiling. My first thought was to make sure the tenant was okay. I cleared the blockage and repaired the flat so she could feel comfortable again. It’s rewarding work — if I didn’t go out, what would they do?”

These stories show that Zetetick’s maintenance team aren’t just fixing homes — they’re providing reassurance, compassion, and dignity.

What Empowerment Means

For both men, empowerment is about equality and respect.

“Empowerment is working together, with hearts and hands, to make tenants’ lives better,” says Horace.
“It’s helping tenants live independently, with pride and self-worth,” adds Andy. “We once had a tenant who wanted a shower instead of a bath. We advocated for her and made it happen — that’s empowerment.”

Why Zetetick’s Maintenance Team Wins Awards

Stories like these explain why Zetetick’s Maintenance Team has been recognised for excellence in the care and housing sector. Their dedication, empathy and professionalism turn everyday repairs into moments of empowerment — one home, and one person, at a time.

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Listening to Our Landlords Empowerment Starts at Home Empowerment in Supported Housing: ZetetickLife Magazine 2025