Community Links Scotland – News

A Job Well Done

WHHA Programming Meeting

Each year we work with our client Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to develop a programme of projects for potential Wider Role support. Outline ideas are submitted to the Scottish Government Wider Role Team who then arrange to visit each RSL for a Programme Meeting to ‘quiz’ them further on the justification, benefit and match funding for each idea. Staff at Community Links Scotland attend these sessions to support the RSL in the presentation of their ideas; during the course of each session the Wider Role Team either approve a project for progression to final application stage — or not! It’s a kind of ‘Man from del Monte’ moment!

This year, the Scottish Government Wider Role Team made it through gales and hailstorms to Oban for West Highland Housing Association’s (WHHA) Programme Meeting, to discover that things were to run a bit differently from usual format. Once the del Monte moment was over, a slightly bemused Wider Role Team were hussled into the WHHA Board Room where sitting in waiting were representatives from all the projects in receipt of Wider Role Funding for 2010 – 2011.

Following introductions from both WHHA’s Chief Executive and Chair of the Management Committee, Workingrite, Lorn and Oban Reuse Initiative, Argyll and Bute Employability Team, Stramash, Hope To Oban Young Mums and WHHA Energy Advice Officers, all then gave proud and passionate summaries of the work they had achieved with the help of Wider Role funding and the difference made to vulnerable individuals and communities in WHHA’s area of operation. The Wider Role Team heard of over 50 village halls benefiting from painting and decorating work by previously unemployed individuals, of 14 young people being mentored by local tradesmen in a real work environment, of tenants being helped to reduce their fuel bills with the aid of up to date technology and of 9 youngsters from troubled backgrounds gaining Outdoor Instructor qualifications that will assist them in the search for work. One of the several excellent presentations nearly moved hardened bureaucrats to tears!

WHHA Programming Meeting

All projects expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Wider Role Team for their funding support to date which they very much appreciated; all projects also expressed their sincere gratitude to staff at Community Links Scotland for our support in developing and delivering projects which make a difference to people’s lives. There was much post presentation chat, along with a tasty buffet including homemade lemon drizzle cake and flapjacks and people felt good about the work they do!