Caledonia Housing Association Creates New Community Anchor Role

Declan BarbourCaledonia Housing Association

Caledonia Housing Association (CHA) has appointed Megan Crossan as Community Anchor, covering projects across Dundee, Perth, Angus, and Fife.

The new role is jointly funded by CHA and The Gannochy Trust which funds charities, both in Perth and Kinross and across Scotland, and provides nearly 300 high quality affordable homes in Perth.

As Community Anchor, Megan will support older people with activities that keep them active, healthy, improve their quality of life and assist them to be socially included in their communities. The focus of the role is to ensure greater access to services and facilities, and increase inclusion.

Megan said: “Caledonia is focused on making positive contributions to our tenants’ lives and enhancing our communities whether that be through events or activities or promoting health and wellbeing opportunities. My role as Community Anchor is about working with people to understand their needs and help to facilitate that through wider networks such as Citizens Advice, community groups, NHS, Police and Fire Scotland; I’m looking forward to getting started.”

As part of the new role, Megan has supported in establishing a new Cost of living roadshow which will take place during March and April. The events will provide advice and support to tenants and their families from organisations including Citizens Advice, The Food Train, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, digital inclusion group, and Scarf – the energy efficiency advice service.

Tim Calderbank, Director of Customer Services, Caledonia Housing Association, said: “The Board of Caledonia have customer services core and central in our new Business Plan.  This new role is another significant step forward in CHA’s investment in engagement and support for our tenants and communities and we are confident that Megan will be a huge asset in delivering our aims. Partnerships are critical to us in how we work with our communities, and we’re delighted to be continuing our relationship with The Gannochy Trust.”

Andy Duncan, Chief Executive, The Gannochy Trust, said: “The Trust adopts a Lifetime Neighbourhood approach to the homes it provides on the Gannochy estate, and this includes offering comfortable retirement options to our existing tenants.  We are pleased to be supporting Caledonia Housing Association’s Community Anchor programme which will improve social inclusion and enhance the community activities on our own estate, as well as 17 of Caledonia’s own retirement housing schemes.”

Cost of Living roadshow events timetable:

14th March – Birkhill, Angus (10am-2pm)

Servite House, Sidlaw Terrace, Birkhill, Dundee DD2 5PY

29th March – Fintry, Dundee (1pm-4pm)

Servite House, 61 Finlarig Terrace, Dundee DD4 9JE

31st March – Bowerswell House, Perth (11am-3pm)

Bowerswell House, Bowerswell Road, Perth PH2 7DN

5th April – Arbroath, Angus (11am-3pm)

Royal British Legion, 136 Helen Street, Arbroath DD11 3AP

11th April – Alexander Street, Dundee (11am-3pm)

Servite House, Alexander Street, Dundee, Angus, DD3 7DE

12th April – Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire (11am-3pm)

Skypoint Centre, 96b Lennox Drive, Clydebank G81 5JY

13th April – Bridge of Earn, Perthshire (10am-2pm)

Servite House, 2 Muirmont Place, Kintillo, Bridge of Earn, Perth & Kinross, PH2 9RP

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