sanctuary scotland voice - autumn 2016 · 2016-10-19 · lewis, callum and derryn autumn | 2016 |...

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www.sanctuary-scotland.co.uk

AUTUMN 2016

Welcome to the first edition of Voice since the formal merger of Sanctuary’s three Scottish housing organisations on 26th August.

The merger makes Sanctuary Scotland the country’s fourth largest social landlord with more than 6,500 homes. All of our tenants will benefit from the merger in the months and years ahead.

Our new website (www.sanctuary-scotland.co.uk) brings Sanctuary’s housing operations across Scotland under one banner.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the website, or any other aspect of our service to you, using the contact details on the back cover.

Pat Cahill – Director

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Lewis, Callum and Derryn

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Sanctuary Scotland has been instrumental in the employment of five apprentices in Cumbernauld.

Lisa Connelly, 17, recently joined our housing management team at Fleming House. The former Our Lady’s High School pupil’s business administration apprenticeship will see Lisa spend at least one year with Sanctuary.

Meanwhile Cruden – our contractor in Seafar – has taken on four local teenagers to help regenerate the town’s high-rise blocks.

Joiners Steven McAuley and Lewis Carey, both 16 of Cumbernauld, plumber Callum Waugh, 17, of Cumbernauld, and joiner Derryn McCormack, 18, of Airdrie, will help build new homes for future generations.

We look forward to monitoring their progress.

Learning the ropes from local housing manager Clare MorrisonLisa

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Do you have a sensory impairment? Do you care for someone who does?We can communicate with tenants in many ways. This includes:

• Braille• Audio CD• Text message and New Generation Text Service• Email• Large print documents• British Sign Language Video Relay• Translators

If you have an impairment please tell your housing office your preferred method. This will enable us to tailor our service to you.

Your Customer Account and Rent StatementThe introduction of our new computer system – OneSanctuary – allows us to view and manage all of your property-related charges in one location known as ‘Your Customer Account’. OneSanctuary enables us to answer more of your questions at the first point of contact as your information is stored in one place.

You will continue to receive a rent statement from us with the important information you are used to seeing. Over the coming months we will look at ways we can improve the statement to give you even more information.

A Strawberry Tea at Sidlaw House in Dundee raised £170 for two charities, Cancer Research UK and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.


Aberdeenshire tenants affected by Storm Frank have thanked staff for their response to the crisis.

Twenty three Sanctuary homes in Port Elphinstone, Kemnay and Ballater flooded on 8th January when the River Don burst its banks.

Raymond Wilson, of Connon Court, Port Elphinstone, was rescued by eight firemen in a dinghy. The water level reached two feet, forcing Raymond from his home till July.

Raymond said: “The night of the flood was just the start. Having to be temporarily re-homed and the next few months waiting for the builders to rebuild everything was an experience I hope never happens again.

“It was an unprecedented event that caught everyone unaware but the community pulled together

superbly. Alana, Yasmine and the other Sanctuary staff involved went out of their way to help.”

Alan Davies, of Kembhill Park, Kemnay, returned to his flooded home on the morning of 8th January. As in Port Elphinstone the community rallied round, pumping water from his and other homes while delivering food to those affected.

After a month Alan and wife Estelle moved to a property provided by Aberdeenshire Council. The couple returned to their repaired home in July.

Alan said: “The water came in at such a speed. It went in and under the house, raising everything up.

“It was pretty devastating but I’ve no complaints about the response from Sanctuary. The staff looked after us and phoned frequently to ensure that we were alright.”

Mr Wilson and Yasmine

Yasmine with Mr Davies


A missing link in one of Scotland’s most famous streets will be restored thanks to our £60 million regeneration of Anderston in Glasgow.

We will reinstate a 200 metre section of Argyle Street lost in the 1960s when flatted blocks replaced ageing tenements.

Having demolished the blocks the street plan will be restored and another 206 homes built.

The flats near the fashionable Finnieston district will be a mix of social rent and mid-market rent.

This £26 million final phase of our regeneration of Anderston is due to complete in summer 2018.

An artist’s impression of how the restored Argyle Street will look

Councillor George Redmond joined our director Pat Cahill, Alastair Wylie of CCG and Sanctuary Group director Peter Martin


Michelle McLaren is feeling light-headed after shaving her head for charity.

The 39-year-old lost her locks to raise money for the Eileen McCallum Trust, which helps boys and young men with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Michelle’s son Austin was diagnosed with the fatal muscle-wasting disease at two weeks old. DMD will likely leave Austin wheelchair-bound and cut short the two-year-old’s life.

The condition is caused by a fault with the gene which produces the dystrophin protein – a compound which

helps muscle development and stability. It affects 1 in 3,500 children.

Michelle, husband David and daughters Alyx (17) and Abby (11) hope a cure can be found. In the meantime they are doing all they can to give Austin the best life possible.

Michelle, of Priesthill, Glasgow, said: “When Austin’s older there might be something which helps him live longer – you have to hope.”

To donate to Michelle’s cause visit www.gofundme.com/n7y9mvbg

Going... going...

Gone!


Caledonia Court tenants are creating a community garden in the Fraserburgh complex’s grounds.

A small area has been cleared and brightened up with planted tubs and baskets. Tenants would like raised beds for flowers and vegetables, a seating area with barbecue, and space for children to play. The complex’s Gardening Buddies group is trying to raise money to make its plans reality.

Chair Rosalind Geddes said: “It will be lovely to have some outside space where we can enjoy fine weather. A community garden is a great way to bring people of all ages together.”

Annabelle and Donna

An employability project which nurtures the skills of residents is blooming into a massive success.

The community-led Greater Pollok Maintenance Scheme (GPMS) uses neglected green spaces to train local gardeners in Glasgow.

Area resident Annabelle Palmer is the project’s dedicated Employability and Engagement Co-ordinator.

Tailored help will be provided to tenants of all ages to improve their skills and general prospects. More than 25 local residents will benefit directly.

Glasgow City Council, Urban Roots and Rosehill Housing Co-operative are the other project partners.

GPMS secretary Donna Foote told Voice: “The support from Sanctuary helped give the project the strong start that we needed.”


Glasgow tenant Elaine Donaghy was the overall winner of our West of Scotland garden competition.

Elaine received a shield, certificate and £70 of vouchers for her pride and joy in Towerside Road.

Elaine told Voice: “It’s been hard work to get the garden like it is today.

“When my health deteriorated I had to give up my business and stop working, but it did allow me to spend more time on my garden.

“Nothing beats being out in the fresh air, it gives you a lift and a sense of achievement. It’s so good for you when you’re sick.

“A few neighbours have said I’ve inspired them so we now have more gardeners in our street. I am not a competitive person but I’m delighted to have won.”


An ITV drama was recently filmed at a hospital site bought by Sanctuary.

A crew took over part of the old Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow for three-part mini-series Muncie.

The plot follows the story of William Muncie, the detective who brought down serial killer Peter Manuel. It is due to be screened next month.

We recently arranged £6,000 of improvement work to the YMCA-YWCA in Kildrum, Cumbernauld.

The redecoration of the complex’s learning centre by our contractor Cruden has created a much more pleasant environment for staff, volunteers and service users.

The former Victoria Infirmary

The cast and crew set up a scene


A North Lanarkshire charity is helping Cumbernauld kids learn life and sports skills.

DJ Sports Coaching is training local volunteers to deliver free activity sessions in Carbrain.

Those aged seven and above can take part in fun activities including football, archery and sumo suit wrestling.

A Sanctuary grant award made the

sessions possible. Mentor support will ensure the volunteers’ skills stay in Carbrain long after our grant is spent.

DJ Sports Coaching’s David Kennedy said: “The club

encourages children and young people to participate in a positive experience, rather than roam the streets.”

The sessions resume at the Link Community Centre from Monday 12th September and run from 5pm-6pm.

For more information email David at djcoaching@

yahoo.co.uk or phone 07468 592776

A boxing club which punches above its weight recently received two spin bikes from Sanctuary.

The Noble Art ABC in Nitshill, Glasgow gives local youths the opportunity to box and learn important life skills.

Former professional boxing champion Kris McAdam has coached dozens of youngsters since his community-run club opened five years ago.

Kris said: “The spin bikes have added an extra dimension to training and complement the more traditional boxing routines.”

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Contact your local Sanctuary Scotland office

[email protected] / 01224 [email protected] / 01779 [email protected] / 01382 [email protected] / 01236 [email protected] / 0141 876 4900

Write to: Sanctuary Scotland, 7 Freeland Drive, Glasgow G53 6PG

Visit: www.sanctuary-scotland.co.uk

This newsletter can be translated into other languages, large print and Braille or recorded on to an audio CD. Please contact your local office for details.

Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association Limited, a charity registered in Scotland No. SC024549 and aRegistered Society No. 2508RS, is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity

Repairs: 0800 916 1525 0300 123 3561

Cumbernauld-based area manager Theresa Macgregor and daughter Gemma raised an amazing £1,057.50 for charity at this year’s Race for Life in Glasgow.

Inspired by a family member the pair ran 5k to help fund Cancer Research UK’s efforts to find a cure for the disease.

Well done Theresa!

Congratulations to

Carol McKever, the

first recipient of our

quarterly staff award.

Carol – who works

in our Cumbernauld

office – was presented

with a certificate and

£100 voucher by our

director Pat Cahill.

sanctuary scotland voice - autumn 2016 · 2016-10-19 · lewis, callum and derryn autumn | 2016 |...

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