On Friday 24th May, I spent the day with Gentoo to learn more about the many services they offer to make life better for their customers and people across Sunderland.

To start the day I met with victim support officers and the Positive Engagement service, who work hard to help anyone affected a range of issues such as domestic violence and anti-social behaviour. Victim support officers are happy to meet with anyone experiencing domestic abuse in a safe and convenient location, and will do what they can to ensure customers feel secure in their own homes.

Later in the day I met with the Gentoo Money Matters team, where staff offer practical advice to anyone facing financial difficulties. They provide support on anything from issues with rent, loans, and Universal Credit, to budgeting for essentials, and helping out with emergency support when needed.

Finally I did a walkabout with Lewis, one of the Neighbourhood Coordinators for our area, who works to make sure that our community is well looked after.

I was thoroughly impressed by the professionalism of staff, and I would like to pay tribute to them for their hard work. I’d also like to thank everyone at Gentoo who made this visit possible.

If you are a Gentoo customer, I would encourage you to make use of these services if needed – you can learn more here.