Peter Grice is our technical officer. He joined WHiA, Warrington Housing Association’s home improvement agency, earlier this year. He explained to us how his role makes a difference across Warrington and why he loves the drive to work
What is your role at WHA:
WHiA technical officer: We get referrals, then my task is to meet the client, do a professional full building survey, measuring up for whatever the occupational therapist has asked for on that referral so the lady or the gentleman can stay living safely within their own homes, with the right adaptation or support. This can be anything such as extensions, wet rooms, ramps access level access to the property, ensuite bathroom, ground floor bathroom, bedroom with an ensuite. It has been predominantly wet rooms. The client could be an owner occupier or social housing.
We do the survey, produce the drawing and a schedule of works that goes over to private sector housing for their approval, and then we get it out to tender in for contractors and then we do get the works on site.
What has been your career path?
I got my HNC in Building Studies in 2004, so it’s like getting up for 20 years’ experience. I’ve worked for three different local authorities, giving me l12-15 years’ experience doing adaptations. But I’ve also done other roles, all in all in social housing.
What attracted you to your new role?
There’s a big demand and it’s enjoyable. I would like to say I’m quite used to this work and it is great making a difference for these people.
What makes you excited to come to work?
I get real satisfaction at the end of a job. Some of our more vulnerable and elderly clients don’t ask for a lot. They make do and struggle as that as their generation did. Then when we get this beautiful adaptation put in. They are happy and clean, and their privacy and dignity are restored – which we take for granted. But if you are older and have a slip and fall in a bathroom, then you are in hospital, then you get pneumonia and so on. We are trying to avoid all that. That’s where the joy comes in.
What does a usual day look like to you?
I’m hybrid, agile worker. I like to get at least four to five surveys done a week, possibly five, which will also include a couple of advice visits, whether it be the feasibility of an extension or some problems regarding damp. There are work-in-progress visits as well. So those are on site. When I’ve done the surveys, I produce a schedule of works which is I can work from home that gets sent over to private sector housing then loaded onto the system. I’ll produce drawings of a bird’s eye view, on AutoCAD of what’s there now and then what we propose to do: shower in, the bath taken out etc with a schedule of works. So, it’s busy and varied. You’ve got to be organised in your time management.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’ve got quite a big family. I’ve got my wife, who works in a local primary school, and five sons, two still living at home. So, it’s a busy house and what I enjoy doing is usually family-orientated, spending time with our six lovely grandchildren or there’s always a birthday coming up! My wife and I recently went to see My Fair Lady at the Palace in Manchester. It was fantastic. I would highly recommend it.
How would you describe yourself?
Friendly, caring and tenacious
What’s your favourite work lunch?
Poached eggs on toast are a pretty standard breakfast/lunch if I am working from home. I don’t try to intermittently fast too much, but I’ll wait to eat until maybe 11am if I’m on the road, or even 2pm and just get a sandwich, eating on the hoof when I am out on out and about. Don’t get me wrong, that sounds like I’m quite healthy, but a chip barm will go down just as well any time!
Top day out in the North West?
We did have a Labrador for 12 years, but she passed away last year. So, we would walk. Dunham Forest is just up the road, Sale Water Park is quite local and we would go there. I still get out quite early Sunday mornings to get some sunlight and some fresh air.
What do you love about Warrington?
A couple of things: I absolutely love to drive in, I am in a good mood when I arrive. I’m lifted. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I actually love it. My route takes me down the A49 or the different A roads, and it is the lanes, the countryside. Then you get into Warrington, I like the town centre as well. It’s vibrant: lots of amenities, there are lots of things to do. I’ve sensed there seems to be a good support and voluntary sector with extra care and people that seem to be quite on it. In the Gateway Centre especially, where we are based, in terms of WHA’s Lifestyle, helping out and activities for elders. So, I feel there’s good community cohesion, it’s a quite connected community.
Warrington Home Information and Improvement Agency is a non-profit advisory service, run by WHA, for older, disabled or vulnerable people and families on low incomes who own their own homes or live in private rented accommodation and wish to repair, improve or adapt their homes. To make use of their services, contact them at whia@wha.org.uk or 01925 246812.
