Georgia Lagou is a Project Worker with our Haringey West Mental Health Service. Here she tells us about the project and why she enjoys working for St Mungo’s.
Within the Haringey West Mental Health Service team, we support around 60 clients across a mix of housing. All our clients have long term mental health problems, while many are also tackling substance use or other issues as well. This is part of our work in preventing homelessness among vulnerable members of the community. We don’t provide housing, simply support.
I have been with St Mungo’s over two and a half years. There is no such thing as a typical day. From around 10am I go out to meet with clients, either for keyworking sessions or supporting them at an appointment or with a flat viewing if they are looking to move on. Although I have a plan for the day, it almost always changes – if a client doesn’t show up, for example, or their situation or mental state has altered. You have to be flexible and patient. I also spend a lot of time liaising with Social Service Care Coordinators, discussing a client’s progress and how we can best support them.
Afternoons tend to be more about phone calls arranging further visits, writing up notes and coordinating with other team members. Gardening is one of my hobbies, and one of my favourite parts of my job is the gardening group that I facilitate. It has been going for a couple of years now and is very popular with clients. I encourage them to make decisions for themselves and try new things, which helps to build their confidence and has lead to further study, volunteering or sometimes a return to work.
For me, the best thing about working at St Mungo’s is being able to work with such great clients. I’m also lucky to be part of a really good team – although it’s hard work, we have fun.
Read more about St Mungo’s mental health team.
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St Mungo’s and me
Georgia Lagou is a Project Worker with our Haringey West Mental Health Service. Here she tells us about the project and why she enjoys working for St Mungo’s.
Within the Haringey West Mental Health Service team, we support around 60 clients across a mix of housing. All our clients have long term mental health problems, while many are also tackling substance use or other issues as well. This is part of our work in preventing homelessness among vulnerable members of the community. We don’t provide housing, simply support.
I have been with St Mungo’s over two and a half years. There is no such thing as a typical day. From around 10am I go out to meet with clients, either for keyworking sessions or supporting them at an appointment or with a flat viewing if they are looking to move on. Although I have a plan for the day, it almost always changes – if a client doesn’t show up, for example, or their situation or mental state has altered. You have to be flexible and patient. I also spend a lot of time liaising with Social Service Care Coordinators, discussing a client’s progress and how we can best support them.
Afternoons tend to be more about phone calls arranging further visits, writing up notes and coordinating with other team members. Gardening is one of my hobbies, and one of my favourite parts of my job is the gardening group that I facilitate. It has been going for a couple of years now and is very popular with clients. I encourage them to make decisions for themselves and try new things, which helps to build their confidence and has lead to further study, volunteering or sometimes a return to work.
For me, the best thing about working at St Mungo’s is being able to work with such great clients. I’m also lucky to be part of a really good team – although it’s hard work, we have fun.
Read more about St Mungo’s mental health team.