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What do they do?
"The main purpose of my job is to make sure that tenants are informed and given the option to input on all matters that will affect them," says Brendan Gillen from Dartford council.

A tenant participation officer helps in the overall co-ordination of the tenant involvement and works closely with tenants, council staff and other partners, such as council departments or the tenants' forum, in producing publications, newsletters and facilitating tenants' groups meetings.

They are also responsible for making sure the tenants are aware that they have a liaison with the council and will often have to tour estates.

Is it hard?
"Probably the most challenging aspect is that you have to create your own work," says Gillen. "Most people are not that interested in sitting down and talking through the different areas that need to be addressed.

"We do get some people who just use us to complain, while others don't want to sit in a meeting talking about the new playground so we have to ensure that we get through to the tenants what it is we do and how we can help."

You have to be thick-skinned. Most people just want to have a go, so you have to be patient and understanding

Dartford Gillen, tenant participation officer, Middlesborough council

Do they spend a lot of time out and about?
"I could have a week when I'm out of the office and a week when I spend my entire time there," says Gillen. "It varies quite a lot because we have to be in constant contact with our tenants."

What are the hours like?
Most tenant participation officers will work more than 30 hours a week but it varies because they have to go to evening meetings as well as meetings during the day.

Good pay?
The pay is not great. It ranges from 拢13,122 to 拢21,371 depending on the area.