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Getting to know Community Caretaker: Gerald Bembridge

Gerald, known to all as Gez, has worked for Castle Vale Community Housing (CVCH) for just over four years now. He says that the time has flown and that shows just how great his job on the estates team is, with a friendly crew and where every day is different.

Before joining The Pioneer Group, Gez worked in the civil engineering sector repairing and laying water pipes & sewage pipes (not the small ones!). He also worked on major projects like the sewage plant in Minworth where he spent four years helping to construct it for North Midland Construction, a major contractor to Severn Trent.

Gez was traveling up to 500 miles and doing 60-hour weeks, so he was glad to be offered redundancy package after 11 years’ service. That’s when the opportunity came up for a caretaker job which offered great hours, so that he can spend more time with his family, while enjoying what he does every day! Let’s find out more about Gez:

 

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

My days are set out with important tasks that help keep the high standards expected by CVCH tenants. These include block checks, risk assessments, alarm testing, fly tipping removal and other litter picking as well as generally assisting tenants and contractors.

 

How does your team help the communities that we work in?

We support local communities with environment events, like CVCH fun days for the community, and help organise external contractors appointed by CVCH.

 

What are some personal values that are important to you?

Equality and honesty stand out to me, I find them important values in my life.

 

What motivates you to be your best self?

I want to give my best to improve the estate and empower others. The feeling of satisfaction at a job well done motivates me to do that.

 

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a fireman because it is a valued job. I also liked the adventurous aspect of it.

 

What is your favourite memory of being involved in your community?

My best memories of being involved in the community are of seeing the people enjoying the fun days that I was a part of.

 

What approach do you take to look after your mental wellbeing?

I try to plan my daily work, so I don’t get overwhelmed and stressed. The structure helps to mitigate any pressure, and I know I have people around me that I can share some of the workload with if needed.

 

What is one item on your bucket list?

I’d like to drive along Route 66 on a Harley Davison with a loving companion.

 

Who is an inspirational individual you look up to?

I look up to David Garrison as he takes the lead at work to help me through my difficult times and spends almost all of the rest of his time training youngsters with the RAFAC to help create a better future for them. Also, my father was such an inspiration to me. I lost my mother at the age of 12 and dad raised me, always working hard to keep me, but alas I lost him when I was only 18 – my best friend and soul mate never forgotten! Sometimes life isn’t all roses but we battle on.

 

How do you relax outside of work?

I try to go out on my bike and my car as much as possible. I have just finished doing up my classic MG 1972 and also I have another finished project Triumph 900 1998.

 

What do you enjoy about being part of The Pioneer Group?

I’m always happy to see the area improve and so I enjoy being part of Castle Vale because we are striving to make the community a better place to live.