I’ve worked with the Association for 11 years and becoming housing officer for our 56 new properties on the Isle of Arran has been a great opportunity for me. When we allocated the homes in October 2013 we developed a new rural lettings initiative for the homes to ensure they were allocated in a way that recognises the particular needs of Arran as a rural island community. The properties range from one-bed flats to family homes and were highly sought after as soon as we began building. Allocating the homes was quite emotional as we were handing over beautiful new houses to many families who had been living in appalling conditions in homes that were overcrowded or unsuitable due to disrepair or medical needs. I really looked forward to working with the tenants and helping them to settle into their new community.

To maintain a consistent presence on the island I hold a monthly surgery on the island where customers can make an appointment or drop in with their enquiry. Our customers can also access the Association’s services 24/7 via our customer service centre and can contact me during office hours with any enquiries. Visits to the island are carried out regularly by staff throughout the organisation including housing, technical services, money advice and affordable warmth officers.

A typical trip to Arran involves booking my ferry ticket the week prior to holding my surgery on the island. Our admin team book myself and my car on the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry as our estate is 4 miles from Brodick in the picturesque village of Lamlash. The first time I travelled over I couldn’t believe the beautiful views over to the Holy Isle and mainland…it’s certainly a bit different to your typical estate! The days before my trip I am on weather alert as the ferry service is often interrupted due to our wonderful Scottish weather!

I set off from Ardrossan on the 09:45 sailing which takes approx. 50 minutes to reach Brodick. This gives me time to check my diary and my emails and grab a bite to eat.

Once on dry land I set off in the car to the Arran Community and Voluntary Service Office – our location for our monthly drop-in surgery. The surgery runs from 11.15 – 1.00pm. During these surgeries common enquiries include rent queries, housing benefit applications and estate management issues.

As the estate is only 2 years old we are still establishing a presence in the community. I’ve started to build a relationship with local authority staff and other agencies on the island. By co-ordinating partners from housing, social work and health we are able to provide responsive services for those in need.

As it’s a rural location there is no job centre and many people have seasonal jobs, leading to insecure employment and earnings. Therefore I can refer customers on to our employability advisor who can assist with CVs, job searches, applications and interview skills.

I also refer customers on to our money advice service. Tenancy sustainment is more important than ever to us, especially in the face of welfare reform and the economic pressure this has put on so many of our tenants. Our money advisors work with our customers on benefit maximisation, access to grants and general money management.

Many of the new tenants came from old rural properties in a state of disrepair with dampness and no modern heating system which meant low thermal efficiency rates and high energy bills. We offer all new tenants a visit by our Affordable Warmth officer which has proven popular. She can carry out a Home Energy Check showing the customer how to work the boiler control settings, give energy saving tips and advice, submit current meter readings and assess if they are on the best tariff and with the right energy provider. These savings are literally sometimes a lifeline for people struggling to make ends meet.

As well as office based tasks I also carry out site inspections including estate management visits, checking gardens are tidy and income management visits. I can alert our maintenance contractor, based on the island, of any issues flagged up. I also get to take in the beautiful scenery when driving across the island to interview and meet with applicants when a property becomes vacant.

I usually head back on the 3:15pm ferry where I can update site inspections and visits on my tablet and begin to follow up any enquiries I’ve taken away.

Seeing our tenants enjoying their new homes and settling into their new community gives me a great sense of achievement and reinforces that we are continuing to deliver our vision of ‘transforming lives, revitalising neighbourhoods.’

Article for SFHA Housing Scotland magazine, February 2016

As of Thursday 25th February our drop-in at the Arran Community and Voluntary Service Office is being replaced with a home appointment service.