New team leader for Francis House

IT’S a return to supporting vulnerable women for Josie Murray who has recently joined TLA as Team Leader at Francis House.

Part of our Beacon Leeds service which provides housing and support to homeless men, women and families with multiple disadvantages, Francis House is an Intensive Support Environment accommodating up to 10 women at any one time in eight rooms plus two community-based self-contained flats. It also has a couple of emergency beds for severe weather or urgent support.

Josie has joined TLA from Connect Housing Association where she worked for some 21 years in various roles, most recently as team leader in two young person’s services in Kirklees. But it was her experience in her first role, supporting women and their families who had predominantly fled domestic violence, which attracted her to the vacancy at Francis House.

“I really enjoyed working in accommodation-based services and wanted to go back to supporting women,” she explained. “I also like the ethics TLA has around supporting people and giving everyone a fair chance.”

Josie received a warm welcome to Francis House on her first day from both clients and colleagues.

“My office was ready for me; there were welcome signs up and chocolates. A client who had been part of my interview panel, had left me a note of welcome and thanks for taking on the role. I felt thoroughly welcomed,” said Josie, who leads a team of 10 providing 24/7 support to clients.

“On the whole, Francis House is a nice building providing a good standard of accommodation and a great supportive staff team delivering a very high standard of support.”

Josie added: “Many of the team have been here for many years and are, quite rightly, very proud of what they do, working with women who haven’t been given a chance elsewhere, accepting and helping them to get settled.

“I’m enjoying getting to know the women we are supporting and building a good relationship with them. Seeing what the team at Francis House is achieving, is really something to be very proud of.”