FLAIR Conference marks 30 years of collaboration and helping communities
Event sees launch of publication which highlights work of six Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire housing associations.
Housing associations in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire have shone the spotlight on the work they do to help communities.
FLAIR – made up of six social housing providers – have been at the forefront of regeneration for 30 years as they strive to improve housing and make lives better.
Now the six organisations have produced a colourful publication – marking three decades of collaborative activity – which defines the work they undertake in their respective communities.
The publication was launched at the FLAIR annual conference held in Paisley and attended by all six housing associations – Barrhead, Bridgewater, Ferguslie Park, Linstone, Paisley and Williamsburgh.
The publication, entitled Community Engagement Activities Across Flair gives an insight into the sheer scale of the activities being undertaken by the housing associations. This includes creating a community garden, a project to increase digital skills, providing DIY skills to residents, and promoting arts and culture.
When the work of all six housing associations is combined, it is a powerful reminder of the deep roots each has grown in their communities.
Meanwhile, the well-attended conference heard from keynote speaker Sabir Zazai, Chief Executive of the Scottish Refugee Council, who spoke of the historic welcome Scotland has always had for refugees.
Sabir from Afghanistan – himself a former refugee who came to the UK – spoke of the contrast between highly-developed countries like Scotland and his own country, where simple things which we take for granted, such as electricity, are often beyond the reach of others. He spoke of the importance of the Scottish Refugee Council which supports refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives in Scotland.
A spokesperson for FLAIR said: “The conference was a great success, and we found the words of Sabir Zazai illuminating and highly relevant to the work we do.
“In addition, our new brochure brings together the best examples of the activities we undertake as we continue to support our communities in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.”
Pictured: The Chief Executives of five of the six housing associations – (left to right) Adele Fraser of Linstone; Kathleen McCutcheon of Paisley; Ian McLean of Bridgewater; Catrina Miller of Ferguslie Park; and Gordon Williamson of Williamsburgh – with the newly-produced brochure.