Nikita’s mission to help others overcome adversity

Please note that this article discusses experience of domestic violence.

In a powerful story of strength and resilience, we caught up with Nikita Rowland to learn more about how overcoming her own adversity inspired her to support others. Nikita has been part of Places for People for four years, previously working in the Customer Accounts Team. However, her life changed drastically in 2021. 

“Many people already know my story, but I was a victim of domestic abuse while working for Places for People and I lost my home and all of my possessions,” she explained. “Places for People really supported me during this process, coming to court with me and helping me find a new home; they even bought me a bed. This all completely changed my mindset.”

Inspired by her own experience of domestic violence, Nikita took a new role in the Money Advice Team to support Customers facing adverse circumstances. Places for People’s Money Advice Team works with Customers to help them manage their finances and maximise their income.

“It’s just really nice, no matter what you do, you’re changing people’s lives in this job, whether that be supporting them to apply for additional benefits, finding them furniture or giving them food vouchers; what we provide is always special because it makes a real difference to their lives.

“What I wanted to do was actually help people because I know what it’s like to lose a home, to lose all my possessions, and lose my family.”

Nikita recently supported a Customer who was fleeing domestic abuse whilst pregnant, along with her five-year-old daughter. She helped the Customer find a new home and furnish it in time for her baby’s arrival. 

“It was a very difficult situation. The Customer was thirty-two weeks pregnant and already had another daughter. She unfortunately also has some significant mental health needs and is suffering from a brain tumour as well. She was provided with a Places for People property but only had twenty-four hours to move in, but she was moving counties so it was a difficult task,” Nikita explained.

“The first thing we did was prioritise how to pay her first month’s rent because she didn’t want to be in arrears. The house also didn’t have any carpet, and she had no furniture other than a sofa that she and her daughter needed to sleep on.” 

This story showcases the incredible and essential work of Nikita and her team. She continues:

“First of all, Places for People gave her a voucher for carpets. Then I started linking her with local charities and organisations. I contacted her former local authority who agreed to cover her moving costs, and then contacted the new local authority who provided her with a washing machine and £1,400 in food vouchers. Finally, a Places for People Community Connector put us in contact with a local organisation who could provide a fridge freezer and a bed. She was in the property for four weeks and finally had a whole new home completely kitted out.”

“She had lost everything, so it was just so nice and honestly overwhelming to make that connection and see the difference in her and her daughter in just four weeks.” 

Nikita’s incredibly influence has extended beyond her Customers, to the wider Places for People Community. 

“I’m part of the Places for People Mental Health Inclusion and Belonging Groups so because of what I went through, I got to work on our Domestic Abuse Policy for Colleagues, since although we had one in place for Customers, it didn’t extend to staff at this point. This also solidified why I wanted to be part of the Money Advice Team as I worked with them on policies around providing furniture and food vouchers for Colleagues as well as Customers.”

Since 2018, Places for People has been committed to the Chartered Institute of Housing’s ‘Make a Stand’ Pledge to support Customers experiencing domestic abuse. 

It is thanks to the tireless efforts of Colleagues like Nikita that we are able to fulfil this commitment. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and how Community can help people through the most adverse of circumstances, #BecauseCommunityMatters. 

To find out more about Places for People’s domestic abuse policy, as well as advice and information if you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic abuse, visit our website. 

Useful numbers:
National Centre for Domestic Violence: 0800 970 2070 
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 200 0247
National LGBT Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428