Linstone receives funding boost to continue helping Renfrewshire communities

Linstone Housing Association has received a fresh funding boost as it carries on the fight against coronavirus. Linstone – like so many other housing associations and co-operatives -  has been at the forefront of the campaign to help its communities since the pandemic began.

Having received £15,000 from the Scottish Government’s ‘Communities Recovery Fund’, Linstone can continue its work as it deploys staff and resources to help people whose lives have been turned upside down.

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has been involved in distributing the new government money. SCVO said: “The Communities Recovery Fund aims to support organisations in supporting people and communities in responding to the challenges presented by Covid-19 which may be further impacted as we head towards recovery from the pandemic.”

This extra funding will, among other things, enable Linstone to continue to support tenants who are struggling with their energy bills.

Since the pandemic hit, Linstone has distributed £300,000 of Scottish Government money to scores of groups after being designated a “community anchor organisation”.

At the beginning of the pandemic outbreak, Linstone swung into action with its ‘Covid-19 Response Team’ inviting organisations across Renfrewshire to apply for the vital funding.

Linstone’s Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Lesley-Anne Junner said: “The pandemic has touched so many people and thrown countless lives into chaos. This new £15,000 will help fund Linstone’s ongoing work for a few more months, given that that the pandemic is not yet over and that people still require help.

“This work demonstrates the role housing associations play in working at a grassroots level in our communities and doing far more than simply collecting the rent. We will always be here to lend a helping hand.”