Tenant Support Service

On this page:

Who we help?
How we help
How can I apply to receive help?
What happens next?
TSS advice sessions
Volunteer with us
Client testimonials
Further help and advice

Who we help?

The Tenant Support Service (TSS) can help vulnerable adults whose housing is at risk or who need support to set up a new tenancy.

This includes supporting people with:

mental health issues
physical and sensory impairment
learning difficulties
drug or alcohol issues
domestic abuse
rough sleepers
homelessness
refugees
older people
ex offenders
people with HIV/Aids.

We can can help private tenants, council tenants, housing association tenants and homeowners, if their housing is at risk.

How we help

We support you to:

deal with debts, including rent arrears
resettle into a new home
apply for benefits
sort out bills and develop budgeting skills
access services
find training, education, employment and leisure opportunities

We offer support through:

one to one support
group skills sessions
drop-in and bookable advice sessions (see TSS advice sessions below).

How can I apply to receive help?

Contact us by telephone on 0117 35 21800 or 0800 0730217. We will complete an online referral via the Housing Support Register.
Bristol City Council tenants can contact their Estate and Rents Officer to complete a referral.
Housing Association tenants can contact their landlord for a referral.
Visit a Customer Service Point.

What happens next?

Once you are on the Housing Support Register you will have to wait until a support provider contacts you to offer you an assessment.

The length of time you have to wait depends on your priority for support.

If you are on a low priority we will give you information on where you can get advice whilst you are waiting.

Please contact us if your circumstances change such as:

Change of contact details.
You have moved into a new tenancy.
Your circumstances have worsened.

TSS advice sessions

We offer drop-in and bookable advice sessions while you are on the waiting list for support.

Call us on 0117 3521800 or 0800 0730217 to find out when the next session is.

Volunteer with us

Applications have now closed for Training, Recreation, Education and Employment (TREE) Advisors.

For more information on this volunteer role see Volunteer role,TREE Advisor (pdf, 22 KB) (opens new window).

New opportunities will be advertised when they become available.

Client testimonials

“I would like to say the service I received has been extremely good. I would not have known what to do without it. My support worker has been the biggest help and made me feel at ease with moving into my new home”
Kerry- Anne, March 2013

“[my support worker] was very caring and business like. She has given me the confidence- I did not know how I would cope- I came from a hostel- now I feel I can cope- she has taught me HOW!! She taught me how to be strong- I can never thank you enough for this great service- words are not enough! I was in the pits of despair- you’ve brought me to a level place.”
Dagma, December 2012

“My support worker was a very polite lady, always on the end of the phone, keeping me involved in everything she did, without my support worker’s help I don’t know where I would be today. A big thank you to (her) and all the support I had. Thank you”
Tina, February 2013

“When I was seriously struggling to get lots of different aspects of my life in order the service was unbelievably helpful in sorting out bills, grants and mental health services” Melissa, November 2012

Further help and advice

Housing and welfare advice

Health and support

Mind - Mental health issues
Samaritans
Survive - Service for people experiencing domestic violence
NHS Direct - Health problems
Bristol Drugs Project

Utilities and repairs

Western Power Distribution - To find out who supplies your property with electricity
Wales and West Utilities - To find out who supplies your property with gas
Bristol and Wessex Water - 0845 600 3600