Eildon Housing Association

1. Tell us about your organisation and its mission.

Eildon Housing Association is a registered social landlord and charity based in Selkirk that has been providing social housing, care and support in the Scottish Borders since the 1970s. Through the Eildon Group it manages and develops affordable homes in nearly 50 communities across towns, villages and rural areas, offering general needs, extra care and sheltered housing along with care services, tenancy sustainment and welfare advice, and is one of the four largest housing associations operating in the region.

2. What kind of support did you receive from Borders Community Action?

We received support from Ryan Martin specifically on the employability side of things. In general though, we have also been supported by BCA through the events it has organised and the networking opportunities they provide.

3. What challenge or need were you facing before receiving support?

We were invited by a partner to deliver an employability project and we were looking for support to ensure what we were planning wasn’t already being provided in the Borders.

4. How did Borders Community Action’s support make a difference?

Ryan was very knowledgeable and provided us with information via the mapping and gapping report that BCA compiled, but also spent time discussing the project and suggesting others we could work with. Ryan made an immediate connection between us and DWP but has also always remembered the project, shared with others who we are now linked in with and is always keen for updates.

5. Can you share a specific success or milestone that came from this support?

We were successful in receiving funding for the project, offering employability support to Borders people and have been able to discuss long-term partnership opportunities in a field we haven’t worked in previously.

6. What has been the longer-term impact on your organisation or community?

Please see above – the step into a space we wouldn’t have to benefit our tenants who need it most, ably helped by partners already working in that area.

7. Would you recommend Borders Community Action to other organisations? Why?

Absolutely, it is clear that BCA are dedicated to supporting the third sector in the Borders and providing a voice for the sector in important discussions at strategic levels. Their staff members are always encouraging and supportive and I have yet to have a negative experience – despite asking frequent ‘daft’ questions!