SFHA Poverty and Inequality Conference to discuss supporting communities during Covid

By Clare McNally, Hillcrest Homes, and Marjorie Sloan, Abertay Housing Association.  

When we found out about the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund to support local communities and households through the Covid-19 pandemic, both Hillcrest and Abertay were keen to apply for funding to assist their residents in the Dundee City Council area who were struggling to cope with some of the consequences.  SFHA was a referral partner for this funding as RSLs have been recognised as anchor organisations within their communities. Michael McLaughlin of SFHA and Dundee City Council staff recognised that both organisations would have a greater chance of success if we worked together but still submitted separate applications. There was some duplication in our initial applications, so we worked to split responsibility for specific areas, working to each organisation’s strengths, and increase the impact we would have. 

Due to the vast local grass roots networks that both Hillcrest and Abertay have, and the key knowledge in areas, such as food and fuel poverty, isolation and wellbeing and recovery and outreach, we shared our applications, ensuring strengths were utilised and there was no duplication.