- Reading
- Dog Walking
- Cooking
- Eating out
- Time with Family/Friends
- Boot Camp/Exercising
- Gardening
Lucy Ritchie
Milton Keynes,Bucks
Summary
Housing Officer with a proven track record in tenant support and community management at Milton Keynes City Council. Demonstrates exceptional skills in conflict resolution, effective communication, and documentation management, ensuring tenant safety and satisfaction. Previously served as Gypsy and Traveller Site Neighbourhood Officer, managing site operations and fostering positive relationships within diverse communities. Former Police Community Support Officer with Thames Valley Police, skilled in crime prevention and community engagement. Extensive background as Warehouse Supervisor at River Island, adept at team leadership and operational efficiency. Career focus on enhancing community welfare through strategic housing solutions and proactive support services.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Housing Officer
Milton Keynes City Council
05.2025 - Current
- Helped clients apply for housing by assisting in completing paperwork and requirements.
- Coordinated with maintenance teams to schedule repairs, prioritising urgent issues to ensure tenant safety and comfort.
- Facilitated tenancy move-ins and move-outs, facilitating process and requirements.
- Mediated disputes between tenants, resolving conflicts in a timely and effective manner to maintain community harmony.
- Conducted regular property inspections to maintain safety standards and identify necessary repairs or maintenance.
- Arranged viewings to assess and arrange housing repairs with external providers.
- Consulted with tenants to address issues on anti-social behaviour from neighbours in the social housing complex.
- Coordinated emergency response procedures for housing properties, ensuring rapid resolution of issues such as leaks or security breaches.
- Supported clients with applications for necessary welfare payments and housing benefits to provide accessibility of resources.
- Advocated on behalf of tenants with special needs, securing adaptations and support to enable independent living.
- Consulted with legal team to deal with abandoned tenancies, squatters and unauthorised occupiers, following protocols and regulations.
- Managed tenancy terminations, conducting exit interviews and ensuring properties were ready for re-allocation promptly.
- Performed ad-hoc accommodation audits, reporting on state of dwelling.
- Maximised tenant support by liaising with social care providers to deliver additional supports.
- Oversaw rent collection processes, minimising arrears through effective communication and negotiation with tenants.
Gypsy and Traveller Site Neighbourhood Officer
Milton Keynes City Council
Milton Keynes, Bucks
07.2023 - 05.2025
- General site management of two permanent Gypsy and Traveller sites.
- Resident engagement, including with partner agencies and support services.
- Managing rent accounts. Supporting with benefit claims, use of UC, council tax, and LWP.
- Managing pitch agreements.
- Site and plot inspections.
- Managing antisocial behaviour.
- Support residents with the reading and understanding of correspondence. Helping to complete applications and manage appointments.
- Reporting and chasing repairs, supporting contractors for planned works on site.
- Working with the Home Ed team for the completion of planned programme of education forms.
- Understanding the Gypsy and Traveller community, and how this impacts their housing needs.
- Working with the legal team in relation to more complex issues, such as adverse possession or tribunal proceedings.
Police Community Support Officer
Thames Valley Police
Milton Keynes, Bucks
05.2019 - 07.2023
- Attended large community events and gatherings, providing safe, dependable neighbourhood support.
- Diffused possible incidents using exceptional communication and negotiation techniques, aiding community crime reduction.
- Carried out house visits to victims and witnesses, offering reassurance, advice and support throughout crime investigations.
- Developed productive relationships with key local businesses and leaders, aiding community approach to crime reduction and prevention.
- Performed foot and cycle patrols to maintain neighbourhood policing visibility, promoting safe, secure communities.
- Protected crime scenes, ensuring minimised disruption until Police Officer arrival and investigation.
- Communicated effectively with local communities, building feelings of safety and security through compassionate support.
- Presented at schools and community groups, promoting positive awareness and behaviour around community issues.
- Responded to accidents to provide first aid and alert additional police and emergency personnel.
- Temporarily detained suspects at crime scenes until backup arrival, aiding ongoing criminal investigations.
Warehouse Supervisor
River Island
Milton Keynes, Bucks
08.1998 - 05.2019
- Managed a team of 10+ individuals, to include productivity, sickness, leave, training, payroll, initial HR enquiries.
- Adhered to Key Performance Indicators.
- Manage staffing levels and any agency staff required on a daily basis.
- Manage bookings coming into the warehouse, timings, quantities.
- Being reactive to the demands of Head Office.
- Prioritising workloads.
- Arranging overtime when necessary.
- Working with other departments effectively to fulfil KPI.
- Trusted with organisation and running of staff sales.
Education
A-Levels -
Kingsbrook Secondary School Sixth Form
Northampton01-1998
GCSEs -
Kingsbrook Secondary School
Northampton01-1996
Skills
- Organised
- Independent and team-oriented work
- Resilience and persistence
- Timely workload management
- Effective communication skills
- Understanding of ASB legislation
- Customer service
- Call handling
- Conflict resolution
- Documentation management
Interests
Timeline
Housing Officer
Milton Keynes City Council
05.2025 - Current
Gypsy and Traveller Site Neighbourhood Officer
Milton Keynes City Council
07.2023 - 05.2025
Police Community Support Officer
Thames Valley Police
05.2019 - 07.2023
Warehouse Supervisor
River Island
08.1998 - 05.2019
A-Levels -
Kingsbrook Secondary School Sixth Form
GCSEs -
Kingsbrook Secondary School