YOUR CHANCE TO WIN£50A VOUCHER
Community Regeneration Strategy
Since the Association was established in 1991, our tenants and the local community have been the driving force behind us providing low-cost housing for those in need and, at the same time, being an organisation that cares about the local community.
Our vision statement “Where communities thrive”, aims to set the scene for the long-term future of our estates. We have built up a strong reputation as a forward-thinking community-based organisation which places customer service, financial viability and being an excellent employer at its heart.
WHAT IS COMMUNITY REGENERATION
Community regeneration is a rounded approach to improve and create opportunities within areas where inequality exists. There are three main types of community regeneration.
• SOCIAL – tackling social issues such loneliness and isolation in our communities by creating opportunities for our tenants to become more involved and live happier, more fulfilled lives.
• ECONOMIC – creating opportunities to maximise the income within our communities, unlocking the potential for positive contributions to society.
• PHYSICAL – to create attractive locations to live by making physical changes to the environment, buildings, land and infrastructure.
DID YOU KNOW
We have a lending library of digital tablets pre-loaded with useful apps to help job searchers or anyone who wants to try getting online.
DID YOU KNOW
Last year our Welfare Rights service brought in £1,108,557.03 in additional benefits and income for our tenants!!
DID YOU KNOW
Over the past year, we applied for and successfully received £50,886 in funding so we were able to provide fuel vouchers, food vouchers, sim cards and warm bedding to many of tenants who have been strugglingfinancially.
Quote from resident
“I can’t thank you enough. I’ve had so much help from goConnect, and I feel very supported and appreciate that I can contact you with any problems I have.”
We are proud of our community regeneration work that goes beyond the role of traditional landlord services. Our goConnect service is just one of the ways in which we do this, by providing tenancy support to help tenants stay in their homes living happy and fulfilled lives. The project has 4 staff based within Glen Oaks Housing Association and focuses on three areas of support.
Tenancy Sustainment
Brenda and Erin support people to be able to stay in their homes by offering practical support or making referrals to specialist agencies.
We also host a range of weekly educational, recreational and wellbeing classes, plus regular information, or social events, to encourage socialisation and reduce loneliness and mental health issues for tenants.
Digital Advice
Audrey helps tenants become more digitally aware by providing Digital support on a 1:1 basis and a weekly class.
Money Advice
We currently have one Welfare Rights Advisor – Laura M, who can assist with income maximisation and benefit advice. We are currently working on an enhancement to this service and later this year hope to be able to deliver in-house Debt, Budgeting and Energy Advice services, welcoming an additional member to the team.
IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNITY
At Glen Oaks we believe that to make this work, our priorities must be your priorities which is why we are asking for your feedback and comments before we draft our new Community Regeneration Strategy.
FUNDING OF REGENERATION PROJECTS
In terms of funding these types of services our income comes from a combination of grant funding and our rental income. The clubs, classes and events run by goConnect are primarily funded through grant funding. Other costs such as staff salaries are covered by Glen Oaks during any gaps in funding. By using rental income to top up funding or cover these gaps demonstrates our commitment to our vision of creating thriving communities and greater opportunities for our tenants – this can also make us more attractive to funders.
In the survey we are asking you to prioritise our Community Regeneration Activities for the next 3 years. However, it is important to note that the availability of funding or viability of plans often places limitations on some of our community regeneration priorities. If we increase spending on our community regeneration activities without grant funding, this puts pressure on having to set higher rent increases.
There are three £50 vouchers up for grabs – to be in with a chance of winning please complete the short survey attached. The survey will close on Friday 8th September. We look forward to hearing your views, thank you!
Glen Oaks Housing Association Limited, 3 Kilmuir Drive, Arden, Glasgow G46 8BW Telephone: 0141 638 0999 Email: go@glenoaks.org.uk Web: www.glenoaks.org.uk
We would like to thank our Service Improvement Group for their input in the creation of this survey.