Housing associations unite to create lived experience group in Castlemilk

Four housing associations across Castlemilk have joined together to create a lived experience group focusing on housing and human rights.

Castlemilk's Housing and Human Rights Lived Experience Group features representatives from Ardenglen, Craigdale, Cassiltoun and Northview housing associations and has been jointly created to implement a human rights strategy for the area which is rooted in the law, public policy, and regulatory requirements.

The associations have already come together to create a human rights handbook which has been distributed to staff and Board members, and is also available to tenants and others.

Among the main aims of the group is to focus on recording and sharing experiences to inform human rights delivery by public bodies and those delivering public services in Castlemilk. As well as representatives from the four housing associations, the group has also been assisted by Carole Ewart, a public policy and human rights consultant. 

Last year the associations were visited by Housing Minister, Paul McLennan MSP, and the group will be engaging with the Scottish Parliament's consideration of a Human Rights Bill for Scotland which is expected later this year. 

Carole Ewart, a public policy and human rights consultant, who is facilitating the group said: “Housing associations have a key role in delivering and respecting human rights as well as government, local authorities, health boards and over 10,000 bodies delivering public services.  The growing gap between human rights ambitions and people’s lived experience compound the disadvantage caused by the cost of living crisis so clearly something has to be done.  Understanding the detail of human rights law and what duty bearers should be doing to comply is pivotal to seizing the opportunities presented by Scotland’s forthcoming human rights law as well as Scotland’s second National Action Plan on Human Rights, published in 2023.  Drawing on their experience and expertise, the lived experience group is able to discuss and explore a wide range of issues and solutions including the regressive decision to significantly cut the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, the lack of access to a range of public services locally and to reasonably priced, healthy food.   This project is about putting human rights into action and making them relevant to everyday issues and it is inspiring to work with the members who are determined to make a positive impact.”

Castlemilk RSLs Joint Statement

The members of the Lived Experience Group have a wealth of firsthand experience in relation to human rights in social housing. The group are committed to building Human Rights knowledge and practise in Castlemilk through circulation of their Human Rights Handbook, training and delivery of various initiatives with a human rights focus to benefit the community. The group have previously welcomed the Housing Minister to participate in engaging debate and conversation on the challenges sector faces using their own lived experience and continue to engage with the Scottish Government. This year marks Castlemilk reaching seventy during a challenging economic environment making the groups work of raising awareness of Human Rights all the more important.