POSTED: 22/04/2026
Spending a full day with Elliot O’Driscoll gives us the perfect window into the essential, fast‑moving and people‑focused world of Great Places Repairs team. As a Property Services Manager for the South Region, Elliot oversees an incredibly varied workload, balancing operatives, customer expectations and the technical demands of each repair.
On this day in the life, we joined him on three visits across Manchester, getting a first‑hand view of the service that shapes our customers’ experiences and look after their homes every day.
Stop one: Acacias, Urmston – Behind the scenes of voids
First, we met Elliot at Acacias in Urmston, where we were greeted by Repairs Working Supervisor for voids, Lewis Burgess. These “voids” are homes where customers have recently moved out, waiting to be prepared for the next ones.
Lewis walked us through the repairs planning process, from assessing damaged carpets to arranging for new windows, flooring, kitchen units, etc. With our Repairs team working to a tight 20‑day target from the moment we get back the keys to having it ready, the team are under pressure to ensure all jobs are handled quickly, but also to an excellent standard.
“Sometimes the job is to be realistic and resourceful”, Lewis tells us. His background as a joiner is clear as he inspects the works remaining on an empty flat, able to estimate timings instantly.
“It’s also about juggling this type of work with other repairs jobs we have, and making this work with our planning team.”
This visit was an important step in the process, supporting Lewis with next steps and identifying any final touches required before the home can welcome its next customer.
Stop Two: Restoring customer confidence in Rusholme
Next, we travelled to Rusholme to meet a customer who previously raised concerns about uncompleted repairs. After Elliot stepped in, the works, roofing issues and damp and mould concerns, were put back on track and monitored closely.
Elliot tells us he has been “keeping an eye on it, inspecting the progress and working to gain back the trust of the customer.” And it’s worked, as he tell us with satisfaction how, “the customer has really come around, regaining her confidence in Great Places.”
Inside her home, we saw that first-hand as she chats openly discussed the works with Elliot, asking questions and thanking him for the clarity and reassurance provided.
“I always try to be as proactive as possible,” Elliot explained. “Not only reacting to the problems but avoiding future complications in the process.”
“A lot of the work is about efficiency, being organised, proactive and doing as much as possible with the time, operatives and means available.”
He also reflected on one of the challenges our teams are addressing: the shared handling of responsive repairs and voids. With upcoming changes through the Repairs Review, Elliot believes “this will really improve the organisation of the works.”
The journey between stops: Elliot’s path through Great Places
On the way to the third visit, Elliot told us about his seven‑year journey at Great Places. Starting as an apprentice through our Growing Greatness Programme, he went to college for joinery after previously building display furniture at IKEA.
Now, a year and a half into his Property Services Manager role, he says: “I always enjoyed joinery… but I think I am actually enjoying this new role even more.”
“Now I get to see the job from start to finish, while building relationships with the customers and their needs. It’s a really rewarding job… the important effect these works have in the customers’ lives.”
Growing up in social housing himself, Elliot explains, “I know the struggles, thoughts and concerns of the other side of everything we do… and to be able to work in producing positive changes feels really rewarding to me.”
To him, the job is “40% technical skills and 60% personal skills”- all about empathy, communication and reassurance. And he’s deeply proud of his team:
“Our operatives are the face of Great Places… sometimes taking the difficult end of the stick. We need to be louder about the good work we do every day.”
Stop Three: Willow Court – Supporting our operatives
Our final visit brought us to Willow Court, where Ben Kolade, Multi‑Skilled Plumber, was addressing condensation issues in a communal area as part of our health and safety works. Ben joined 10 months ago, and Elliot proudly says, “his personality, his communication skills, his attitude with customers was what made a difference.”
Ben also admitted how “the job requires more conflict‑resolution skills than anticipated,” but he also tells us he is “really happy with the work and with his colleagues.”
He adds: “Everyone has been really helpful, especially Elliot, who constantly checks on me and makes sure everything is going alright while giving me confidence.”
And customers’ praise backs this up: “Ben was definitely the right choice,” Elliot tells us, “as multiple positive customers’ reviews have proved.”
Back to the office: The other half of the job
After half a day on the road, Elliot returned to the office, where he spent the remainder of his day. He went straight into answering customers, planning future works and preparing next month’s Toolbox Talk, an important monthly session for his nine operatives covering key business updates, processes, safety and system improvements.
Watching him wrap up the day, we were reminded of the dedication it takes behind the scenes; the planning, the approach, the attention to detail and the constant balancing act that keeps our homes safe, comfortable and ready for the people who live in them.
A day with Elliot shows exactly how Great Places colleagues turn purpose into action, and how the Repairs team makes a positive difference, home by home, every single day.
