Two Scottish housing associations have teamed up to expand the reach of advice and support services for tenants over the next three years.
Rutherglen & Cambuslang Housing Association (RCHA) has teamed up with West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA) and the latter’s subsidiary, Willlowcare Trust are working together to strengthen tenant wellbeing support in a project funded through Advice UK.
The new Advice in Accessible Settings project is expected to reach an estimated 850 tenants over the next three years. The increased provision will include support targeted at families around three key areas: money and debt, welfare rights and well-being support.
The new partnership comes in response to RCHA’s recent board and staff strategy planning event which, together with local Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) data, highlighted significant need for welfare rights and financial support in their area, in particular for families.
Keen to tackle this, and already aware of the wider welfare rights and well-being work being delivered by WSHA and charitable subsidiary Willowacre Trust, RCHA approached the former to explore how the organisations could work together to strengthen local support for tenants and residents.
A joint bid from the three organisations secured three-year continuation funding from Advice UK that will allow WSHA and Willowacre Trust’s current team to be joined by another part-time member of staff. The Advice in Accessible Settings project team will work collaboratively with colleagues across RCHA and WSHA to provide accessible community-based support to any families who need it.
Robert Campbell, WSHA’s director of housing and community services, said: “This partnership is a really positive example of how housing associations can work together to achieve more for the communities we serve.
“By combining our experience, local knowledge and shared values, we’re able to extend practical support to families who need it most, in a way that is accessible and locally-rooted.
“Rutherglen and Cambuslang Housing Association is a highly respected, community focused organisation with a deep understanding of the families and neighbourhoods it serves. Their strong local insight, clear sense of purpose and commitment to supporting people made them a natural and complementary partner for West of Scotland Housing Association and Willowacre Trust, and one we’re delighted to be working alongside.
“We are keen to build on this approach and continue working collaboratively where it helps us do more, and do better, for our tenants and communities.”
Angela Spence, RCHA’s chief executive, added: “This three year project allows the Association to enhance its wider role provision and deliver on our mission statement of ‘Providing a home, not just a house’. WSHA and Willowacre Trust are long established and as a neighbouring association, are an excellent strategic fit for expanding the services we provide to our customers.”
Main image: The RCHA housing team and Willowacre Trust’s advice services
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