Welcome to the Autumn edition of The Anchor! The sun may not have appeared as often as we’d like, but our communities shone bright this summer. In this edition, you’ll find highlights from fun days, litter picks, and the opening of a brand-new playpark.
Tenants told us they wanted to get to know our Governing Board better, so we’re introducing a new feature: ‘Meet the Team.’ First up, meet our fantastic vice chair, Drew McKinney.
Plus, discover how we’re enhancing services and homes, and learn about exciting ways to connect with us, including our new customer-led Service Improvement Group.
Enjoy the read!
Office Opening Hours Update
From Monday 2 September the office will be open 5 days a week to better serve our customers.
More days, more convenience, and more opportunities to assist you. Come visit us Monday to Friday and enjoy our improved service.
In this edition:
• Meet Barrhead’s Vice Chair pg2
• Free Upgrade from Union Technical pg8
• Community Investment –Dino Day, Litter Picks and more pg13
Barrhead News and Updates
Meet the Team
Meet Drew McKinney, our dynamic Vice Chairperson and board member since 2015.
The Barrhead Housing board, comprising 12 dedicated volunteers from diverse backgrounds and ages, drives the business forward. They challenge and guide the organisation, ensuring that customer needs are met, and Barrhead Housing delivers. These committed individuals invest their time and expertise to make a real difference.
■ About me: With an LLB in Law and a Diploma in Legal Practice under my belt, I’m on a mission to use my skills to uplift others. My vision is to propel Barrhead Housing to the top, making it one of Scotland’s best housing associations. How? By truly listening to our tenants and delivering exceptional services to meet their needs.
■ Skills I bring to the role: A blend of sound knowledge, hands-on experience, fiery passion, and unyielding commitment.
■ Personal Reflection: The best part? Seeing the positive impact of our decisions on tenants’ lives and working with an incredible, downto-earth team of Board members and Senior Management.
■ Thinking of joining a board? Here’s a quick tip: Dive in! Join a team that makes a meaningful difference in the community. You’ll learn a ton and forge lifelong friendships.
■ Fun Fact: Made it to the final 96 of Mastermind in 2010, just before the cameras rolled! My specialist subjects? Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, and the Middle East from 1947 to 2010.
I love a good run—especially up hills and mountains, no matter the weather!
■ Dream Big: Imagine a world where we can build affordable housing and supported accommodation everywhere, eradicating homelessness and growing vibrant communities. Let’s make it happen!
Good News Corner
Talented Customer -
How I Got into photography
See what our talented customer with an eye for local beauty spots had to say about their journey into photography. Photography was something I always wanted to try, but the cost and lack of know-how held me back. After dealing with physical and mental health challenges, I found myself unable to work. That’s when I realised photography was perfect for me—no rush, just my own pace.
I’ve been snapping holiday pics since I was a kid, but at 56, I decided to get serious. Six months in, I’m capturing everything, but Scotland’s landscapes and seascapes have my heart. My favourite spot? The old waterworks—endless variety and always fun to shoot.
We are proud to have such creative talent in our community. Keep snapping!
Barrhead’s got a new letting agent
Big Congratulations to Jade, who has just completed their letting agent qualification. We’re thrilled to have such dedicated professionals on our team, ready to provide exceptional service to our customers. Well done to Jade for this fantastic achievement.
Get ready for exciting updates on our new mid-market rent homes, designed for households with lowto-moderate incomes who struggle to find affordable housing options. Soon, we’ll be offering twelve one- and two-bedroom flats at Connor Road, Barrhead. Stay tuned!
Join the Barrhead Housing Service Improvement Group
Our customer-led Service Improvement Group met with staff recently to give feedback and shape our performance report.
Your opinions matter. We’re all about listening to you—what you want, how you want it, and what you think needs changing.
The session was a huge success. Staff gained valuable insights from customer perspectives, and we’re eager for more customers to join the group. Your input helps us refine our
services and make your homes and lives even better.
The big takeaway? Clear, jargon-free communication is key, and we’re already making those changes.
Ready to make an impact? Contact us via the link https:// barrheadha.org/my-community/ service-improvement-group/ and let’s improve together.
Barrhead News and Updates
Exciting Update: Introducing Our New Housing Management System!
We’ve just launched our new housing management system, HomeMaster.
HomeMaster is the heart of our operations, securely managing customer, property, and financial information. It is designed to make us more efficient and effective, ensuring your needs are always met and your data is safe.
After a rigorous selection process, HomeMaster came out on top for its outstanding features and value for money. Our dedicated project team has spent over a year personalising it just for us.
Stay tuned as we roll out new features, including customer and contractor portals, to enhance your service experience. Here’s to a new era of efficiency and better service.
When - Thursday, 19 September, 2024 @ 6pm Where - Salvation Army, 201 Main Street, Barrhead G78 1SD.
Invitations are on their way, and you won’t want to miss this. Expect an engaging meeting with a chance to meet other local people and hear about what is happening locally. It will be relaxed, with tea, coffee, and a light buffet We can’t wait to see all our members there.
Not yet a member? Become a member today and make a difference in your community with Barrhead Housing. Complete your membership form through our website link https://barrheadha.org/become-amember/ - we would be thrilled to have you join us!
Joining Barrhead Housing means becoming part of a vibrant, community-focused organisation that truly cares about its customers. Here’s why you should consider becoming a member:
• Have Your Say: As a member, you’ll have a voice in important decisions that shape your community. Whether it’s voting at the AGM or considering joining one of our boards, your input helps guide the future of Barrhead Housing.
• Community Impact: Barrhead Housing is dedicated to improving the lives of our customers. Your membership supports initiatives that enhance local communities, from housing developments to community projects.
East Renfrewshire Breast Screening Update Supporting You
Screening uptake in East Renfrewshire stands at 74.7%. Here’s some info to help boost this
Most lumps aren’t cancerous but get them checked!
If you notice:
• A lump or thickened tissue in your breast
• Changes in size or shape of your breasts
• Discharge from your nipples (possibly blood-streaked)
Screening Info:
• Women aged 50-53 will receive their first invitation.
• After that, screenings are every 3 years.
• Invitations are sent to the address registered with your GP.
If you haven’t received your invite by your 53rd birthday or moved recently, contact your local screening centre on 0141 800 8800
Need Help?
Get in touch with your local screening centre for any of the following:
• Booking a convenient appointment
• Overcoming barriers like fear or inconvenience
• You need support during your scan or have special requirements
• You have breast implants or recent cancer history
• You need support, an interpreter, or have other concerns
• You want to confirm they have your contact details for reminders Stay informed and take care of your health
Welfare Rights Service
Don’t let housing issues get you down. Our Welfare Rights Service is here to fight for your rights and get you the support you deserve. From navigating complex paperwork to securing emergency funds, we’re dedicated to ensuring you have a safe and stable home.
Need help? Reach out today and let’s tackle this together. Find out contact details at the end of this newsletter.
Live in a Barrhead tenement?
Reduce your heating bills with this FREE upgrade!
You’ve probably spotted Union Technical vans in the area—they are our trusted partners on a mission to make your home warmer and more energy-efficient.
Here’s what’s on offer:
• Fully Funded Internal Wall Insulation
• Decoration Allowance: £600 for a 1-bed property, £800 for a 2-bed property
• Save on Energy Bills: Upgrade your EPC rating for free and save up to £279 a yeardepending on current usage and tariffs.
Check out the pictures
Don’t miss out—contact us today and start saving.
1. Drilled holes where insulation is installed.
2. Filled ready for a fresh coat of paint.
3. Switchee device
Assets Update
We’re making huge strides in improving your homes this year! Here’s what’s happening:
Big Investment and Upgrades Alert Blackburn Square Project
• 66 New Kitchens Installed: Thanks to MCN Ltd, we’re on track to finish the last 14 by the end of August.
• Windows & Doors Upgrades: MSi Scotland Ltd are fitting new A-rated double-glazed windows and doors in 106 homes across North Park, South Park, and Centre Way, boosting energy efficiency and cutting down on energy use.
• New Boilers for Winter: By September, 57 homes will have new energy-efficient boilers, courtesy of James Frew. They’re also handling gas servicing and maintenance.
With around £1.3 million invested in these improvements, we are transforming homes across the board.
Curious about when your home is getting upgraded? Reach out to us at the main office or chat with your Customer Services or Asset Officer. Let’s make your home better than ever.
Barrhead Housing, East Renfrewshire Council, and our partners are set to build six new, energy-efficient homes at the old Auchenback Community Centre site.
We’ve been hard at work—John Gilbert
Architects are on board with an exciting design concept, and we got fantastic feedback from the Auchenback Fun Day and from partners at workshops in August.
Next, we’re fine-tuning the design with your input and gearing up for planning. Thanks for all your amazing contributions—more updates coming soon.
Estates Update
Meet Our New Landscaper
We’ve teamed up with Idverde as our new landscaping contractor!
They kicked off on 7 August 2024 and are working their way around Barrhead Housing estates. Lets enhance out surroundings!
Garden Competition: Winners Revealed Soon
The garden competition closed on 9 August 2024, and the countdown is on to reveal the winners in September.
With categories like Best Garden, Most Improved, Best Balcony, Best Close, and Good Neighbour Award, excitement is blooming everywhere.
A huge good luck to all who entered or were nominated—stay tuned for the big reveal.
Estates Update
Important Updates for XL Bully Owners: What You Need to Know
We’ve had some questions about dog ownership lately, so we wanted to share the latest info on XL Bully dogs.
Just a quick reminder: it’s now a legal requirement to have a Certificate of Exemption for your XL Bully. The deadline to apply was July 31, 2024. Although the application window for the Certificate of Exemption has closed, you can still apply for one through a court order.
Here are the key points to keep in mind:
• Your XL Bully needs to be on a lead and muzzled whenever you’re out in public.
• Breeding, selling, rehoming, or giving away an XL Bully is not allowed.
• It’s also against the law to abandon your XL Bully or let them stray.
And don’t forget, your XL Bully must be neutered. Once that’s done, please fill out the confirmation form with your vet and send it back to the XL Bully Dog Exemption Team.
For more details, check out the government website: XL Bully Dog Rules. https://www.gov.scot/publications/xl-bully-dog-rules/
Got questions or need some help? Give us a call at 0141 881 0638—we’re happy to assist!
See a Customer Services Officer in your community? Stop for a chat—they’re here to help with any questions you have.
Community Investment
New £80k play park opens in Barrhead
Councillor Owen O’Donnell, joined by local children, officially opened the new Newton Avenue play park. The project was funded by East Renfrewshire’s Place Based Investment Fund.
Barrhead Housing customers played a key role in shaping the design and equipment, ensuring the park truly reflects the community needs.
Already a hit, one customer shared, “I live across from the play park and it’s great to see something done with the space as there was just nothing there before. Now my children have been in there every day playing. It’s great to see”.
Next up: more upgrades around Newton Avenue, with plans driven by community ideas like bulb planting and vegetable gardens.
Community Investment
Happy Dunterlie Dino Day
Provost Mary Montague joined over 200 locals for a roaring Dunterlie Dino Day at Dunterlie Resource Centre.
Organised in partnership with Happy Dunterlie, the event was packed with dino-themed fun, from face-painting to V.R. activities, and free ice cream and chips. The dinosaur costumes made it unforgettable.
Happy Dunterlie, backed by the Corra Foundation and East Renfrewshire Participatory Budgeting, offers free activities and food to support local families during school holidays. Dino Day wrapped up their summer program with a bang, which included Nerf battles and den-building.
Want to volunteer? Reach out via Barrhead Housing or contact Happy Dunterlie on their Facebook page.
Community Investment Brighter Futures - Back to School Boost
Through our Brighter Futures Project and partnership with Back-to-School Bank East Renfrewshire, 67 of our youngest customers just got brand new school uniforms. They’re all set to head back to school, ready to learn and shine.
Community Litter Picks
Our fantastic team and community recently joined forces for litter-picking volunteer days.
With sleeves rolled up and spirits high, we’re proud to keep our community clean and beautiful. Every piece of litter collected is a step towards a greener, cleaner environment.
Huge thanks to everyone who pitched in, and to CGC for clearing all the bin bags.
Let’s keep the momentum going.
You Said, We Did
You said…
You sometimes have to contact us more than once to get resolutions to queries.
We did...
As part of our new housing management system, we will enable better contact and customer relationship management which will help us track queries and update our customers.
You said...
You are concerned about your homes not being the right size or the right location for your needs.
We did…
Promote mutual exchanges more and seek to make best use of our properties by encouraging customers in larger homes to downsize. We are in discussions with East Renfrewshire Council about jointly working to create a single mutual exchange register to broaden the housing options of our customers.
You said…
You are concerned about the rent increase and its impact.
We did...
We will do more to pro-actively identify those likely to be most affected, speaking directly to those affected customers to offer tailored advice and support. We will offer more information at future rent increase consultations.
Call us: 0141 881 0638
Email: enquiries@barrheadha.org
We believe that everyone deserves to live in a secure, good quality, well-maintained home within communities that are safe, supported and inclusive. Follow us facebook Follow us on Facebook Tweet @BarrheadHousing We are always here to help
Web: www.barrheadha.org
Out of hours repairs: 0800 652 0633
Download the Barrhead Housing App from the Google or Apple Stores.
Office and Drop-In Hours
Day Office Hours Drop-In Locations Team
Monday 9AM – 5PM Auchenback Resource Centre 10:30AM – 12:30PM
Tuesday 9AM – 5PM
Auchenback Resource Centre 10AM –1PM (First Monday of each month from June 2024)
