TPAS Scotland helps Calvay Housing Associations tenants have their say in TP and scrutiny

August 29, 2023

Calvay Housing Association is a community led organisation based in Barlanark in the East End of Glasgow.  Established in 1985, it was set up to support local residents and provide a good standard of affordable accommodation and support for tenants in their local area.

 

We spoke with the new Wider Role Manager Ali Smith to find out what they have been up to across Calvay and how TPAS are helping them engage tenants. 

 

Ali has been working with tenants and the wider community to support them across a range of activities. She said, “Residents living in areas where there is a high level of poverty and deprivation should have access to a reasonable standard of social housing to ensure they can live a happy and fulfilled life.  In Calvay, we are working with individuals across our community to support them in all aspects of their lives (not just the bricks and mortar), whether that be areas such as positive mental health, fuel, and food poverty.  If individuals are supported in a holistic way, then that will help reduce social isolation, enhance focus, structure and routine, and support families to maintain their home.  Access to information is a massive part of tenants’ concerns.  We are working hard provide information the information necessary to support tenants and ensure they can live well.  TPAS Scotland has been helping us with this information gathering.” 

 

Why did Calvay HA decide to join TPAS Scotland?

Calvay HA is focused on enabling tenants to have accountability and ownership of their own homes, as well as having the mechanisms in place to support their tenants to make informed decisions.  TPAS Scotland were one of the routes open to Calvay and they felt that by having their expertise and knowledge their support would empower their tenants and give them strategies to have their say!

 

Ali said, “Tony and Eveline are both fantastic and have a tremendous amount of knowledge, skills, and advice in this area.  The first project we are working on is to develop a scrutiny panel amongst our tenants and we’ve had great support from the TPAS team already.  Support has included;

  • Am easy to understand, concise description on what scrutiny is and what’s involved in being on a panel. 
  • Specialist training for both staff and tenants
  • They are attending our community day on 16th Sept to talk to tenants about getting involved in the scrutiny panel. 

And

  • Ensuring tenants feel comfortable, included, and all their opinions are valued and valid.

 

As a newcomer to the organisation, I have a lot to learn.  I know I can rely on the team at TPAS Scotland to provide the advice, support, and information I will need to do my job going forward.  I would recommend TPAS Scotland to any housing association or community group requiring independent support to empower tenants to have their say.”