2 News NEW GHA CHAIR BERNADETTE HEWITT ON HER HOPES FOR THE FUTURE


We can make a difference L


IKE many people in Glasgow, I get around by bus. My journeys usually begin


at Barmulloch – my home for the last 24 years – and take me all over the city. Every time I step out of my front door I’m reminded of the impact GHA has had in communities throughout the city. Our £1.3 billion investment


programme to refurbish more than 70,000 homes has seen many of the old high flats that once dominated the skyline disappear, and be replaced by new homes people are proud to live in. GHA’s Better Homes, Better Lives mantra isn’t just words on paper. When I hear of someone getting the keys to their new home – perhaps the first safe, warm and secure place they have lived – or using the internet to find a job in one of our 36 Click & Connect centres – I know the real difference we can make. I am incredibly proud to become the Chair of GHA and to do my bit to bring about lasting change in the homes and lives of our customers.


Contents News and features


Put rent first…..............................…p4 Care course boost......................….p6 Get WinterReady.......................….p8 Proud lone parent….....................p11 Prize Sudoku…..............................p15


Glasgow Housing Association www.gha.org.uk


better homes, better lives Garden guys P7


WARM WELCOME: Bernadette Hewitt, the new chair of GHA


“The silver bullet will be to ensure young people achieve their potential”


But I’m under no illusions about the challenges ahead – from building enough homes to responding to the changes brought about by the Brexit vote. The most important challenge we


have is the daily hardship still faced by too many of our tenants. Many people struggle to pay their


rent, put food on the table, and keep their homes.


Our specialist advisors already help


tenants save thousands on their energy bills, and claim thousands more in welfare payments. But for me the silver bullet will be to ensure that our young people achieve their potential and make the most of their talents. I find it heart-breaking that the message our young people get when they are just starting out in life is: “You’ll be lucky” - lucky to find a job, lucky to find a training opportunity, incredibly lucky to go to university. I am so proud of the action GHA has


taken to change that. This year, we doubled the number of our modern apprentices – taking on 41 young people to work in our parent company, Wheatley Group, and its partner organisations. In my first weeks in post, I was delighted to meet two of them. Their enthusiasm, excitement and talent made me incredibly excited for what lies ahead for GHA. That gives me enormous hope for the future. I can’t wait to be part of the changes that lie ahead.


The Glasgow Housing Association Limited is a not-for-profit housing association: registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 No. 2572R(S); recognised by HM Revenue and Customs as a Scottish Charity No. SC034054; registered social landlord No. 317 with the Scottish Housing Regulator under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010. Registered office: Wheatley House, 25 Cochrane Street, Glasgow G1 1HL.


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