A job well done says Glen Oaks Housing Association

Glen Oaks Housing Association has praised the unique partnership which helped deliver relief to its communities during the pandemic lockdown.

In an unprecedented link-up, Glen Oaks joined forces with a variety of groups to reach out to tenants and the wider community.

Now as the work comes to an end, it has revealed for the first time the scale of the effort which focused on the delivery of meals to isolated and vulnerable people in various neighbourhoods.

Remarkably, it delivered 133 meals every week to 72 households across Arden, Pollok and Darnley where Glen Oaks has its homes.

Most were families facing financial hardship, elderly or those deemed vulnerable whose wellbeing was undoubtedly enhanced with nutritional meals.

Glen Oaks work was overseen by its goconnect project - an existing initiative which works with vulnerable tenants such as people with anxiety and depression, the long-term unemployed, carers and single parents. 

It aims to help people who feel lonely and isolated, encouraging them to try new skills, courses and volunteering roles.

The project was funded by the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund.

To help with the meals delivery, Glen Oaks worked in partnership with charities Urban Roots, Aberlour, Noble Art Boxing, Greater Pollok Services and G53 Together.

Glen Oaks Chief Executive Alasdair McKee, said: “This has been a terrific example of partners coming together to help their communities and we are delighted that we were able to help our most vulnerable tenants.

“Housing associations across Scotland have shown how they rose to the challenge in these very difficult few months – reaching out to those who needed significant help.

“Recent research led by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations reveals the scale of the work that housing associations do – especially in a time of crisis – and Glen Oaks is delighted to have played our part."

Glasgow Pollok MSP Humza Yousaf, said: “I’m deeply impressed by the work that Glen Oaks Housing Association working with others has undertaken to reach out to its tenants and the wider community. It is a shining example of how housing associations can be relied upon to provide a helping hand in time of crisis.”