Free Bus Travel for under 22’s

From 31st January 2022 all young people in Scotland aged 21 or younger will be able to enjoy FREE bus travel.

Anyone aged 11 to 21 can get free travel by using their Young Scot National Entitlement Card. More information can be found here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/…/young-persons-free-bus-tr…/

Scottish Child Payment bridging payments

Earlier in the year, the Scottish Government announced additional payments for school aged children.  £160 was paid per child to eligible families on 8th October and a further payment will be made in December for each P1 to S6 pupil who is entitled to Free School Meals due to their parent/guardian being in receipt of low income or a qualifying benefit. The payment can be used by families for any purpose as they see fit.

This payment is in addition to support delivered through the continuation of Free School Meals over the school holidays and the £130 Low Income Pandemic Payment.

Who will receive the payment?

  • Children in P4-S6 who receive Free School Meals will be eligible for the payment.
  • Children in P1-P3 who are eligible due to low income or qualifying benefits only.  Children in P1-P3 who receive universal Free School Meals, and who do not meet the financial qualifying conditions for Free School Meals, are not eligible for these additional payments.
  • Pre-school aged children are not eligible for this additional payment. The Scottish Child Payment is available for children under the age of 6.

Is the payment per family or per child?

  • A payment of £160 will be made for each eligible child in the household.

How will I receive the payment?

  • Payment will be made automatically for all children entitled to receive Free School Meals and meet the criteria detailed above.

When will I receive the payment?

  • Eligible children would have received the October payment on 8th October and the next payment will be in December.

For more information about this payment, please contact our welfare rights officers David and George on 0141 763 0511.

New Rules approved at SGM and Board Members elected at AGM on 21st September

The Association held a successful Special General Meeting (SGM) followed by an Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 21st September. It was held at the Shettleston Juniors Club to allow for social distancing at a larger venue than the reception area in our office. Thanks to all those that made the effort to come along and take part in both meetings.

At the SGM, Tony Teasdale, CEO, presented proposed changes to the Association’s Rules for members to consider and approve. The Rules were approved by at least 75% of the members present at the meeting. A copy of the new Rules can be viewed by clicking here.

The AGM followed immediately after the SGM, at which James McBride of auditors Azets spoke about the annual accounts – these can be viewed here. The meeting then considered the nominations that had been received to the Board. Lesley Scoffield, Christine Thomson and John Morrison were re-elected and new recruits Brian Barclay, Hugh McIntosh, Edward Robertson and Chloe Park were elected to the Board.

The Office Bearers were elected at the first Board meeting after the AGM, and they are Lesley Scoffield (Chair), Christine Thomson (Vice Chair) and Elizabeth Battersby (Secretary). The new Board can be viewed here.

Joinery apprenticeship opportunity at Upkeep – apply now!

Our subsidiary, Upkeep, is currently recruiting for a positive and enthusiastic Apprentice Joiner to join their team, based at their Culrain Street office.

The successful candidate will secure a four year trade apprenticeship comprising on site practical training as well as college based theory and practical examinations to provide them with the knowledge and skills to become a qualified Joiner.

The successful candidate will also have excellent prospects to secure permanent employment within the business, upon the successful completion of their training.

No previous experience is necessary but an interest in working in a fast paced trade environment and a keen eye for detail are advantageous.

For an informal chat about the position or to find out more information please contact Neil Ferguson on 0141 7643793 or email your C.V to enquiries@upkeepglasgow.org.uk

The closing date for applications is Friday 3rd September 2021 at 12.00pm.

ice box construction

Icebox Challenge Glasgow

Shettleston Housing Association are delighted to be one of the sponsors of the Ice Box Challenge Glasgow. This event is being hosted by Glasgow City Council in conjunction with the Passivhaus Trust and will highlight the benefits of energy efficiency in buildings ahead of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference.

The Ice Box Challenge is a contest and practical experiment to demonstrate the thermal efficiency of buildings and how this can be improved through energy efficient design. Architecture students from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen won a competition to design two Ice Boxes, one of which will be built to current Scottish Building Standards and the other to the Passive House Standard. The boxes will be left outside for two weeks, each holding an equal amount of ice. When opened, the amount of ice left in each box will be measured. How much ice remains will demonstrate how well each icebox keeps out the heat. The results of the experiment will help show how energy efficient construction can reduce carbon pollution and ensure buildings are healthier, more comfortable and more economic to run.

The event will run from 23rd July to 6th August in St Enoch’s Square and is open to the public. You can find more information on the official Icebox Challenge Glasgow site: https://iceboxchallenge.org/