Glen Oaks named as finalist at UK Housing Awards
Helping hand for tenants on digital inclusion recognised at awards ceremony.
Glen Oaks Housing Association is celebrating after being named as a finalist at the UK Housing Awards.
The Glasgow association was included in the shortlist for the UK Housing Awards, which were held in London last week.
The housing association was included in the ‘Outstanding Approach to Promoting Digital Inclusion’ category.
Glen Oaks’ ‘Starting Out’ initiative, which has been running for three years, focuses on money advice, energy efficiency and digital inclusion. The project has been funded by Big Lottery Scotland and the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund. Further funding has been secured from the People and Communities Fund for it to carry on for a fourth year.
Glen Oaks Staff and Board members attended the awards ceremony which took place at the Park Plaza in London.
Alasdair McKee, Glen Oaks Chief Executive, said:
“The Starting Out project allows us to offer a helping hand to the communities we serve, in a greater way than has been done before, on issues like IT support and money advice.
“We’re delighted to have been a finalist in these prestigious awards and equally pleased to be able to deliver this level of help to our tenants.
“Of particular note is the work we are doing helping tenants to learn more digital skills and encourage them to get online – especially in an age when more and more services require digital involvement.
“We are also able to help absolute beginners who need advice with a smartphone or computers and people wanting to search for jobs or apply for benefits online. This is all helping to ensure an increase in digital inclusion and awareness within our communities.
“It has proved to be a worthwhile and valuable project and continues to be very popular with our tenants.”