GHA helps pupils learn about housing and their community

Smithycroft pupils join GHA housing officer Cass Hendry as they prepare to deliver the bags
Smithycroft pupils join GHA housing officer Cass Hendry as they prepare to deliver the bags

School pupils in Glasgow are learning about housing and helping out their community at the same time thanks to GHA.

Scotland’s biggest social landlord teamed up with youngsters at Smithycroft Secondary School to distribute bags full of household items to older tenants in the East End.

The project is part of a qualification developed by Wheatley Group - GHA’s parent organisation - and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) which the young people are studying at school.

The youngsters from Smithycroft worked with GHA staff to get some hands-on experience of a community project.

The pupils came up with the idea of distributing the bags - which included tea, coffee, pasta, soup and other household items.

They then bought the items, packed the bags - and delivered the bags themselves to older GHA tenants across the east end.

The Wheatley schools programme helps build links with schools and young people in its communities across Scotland.

Smithycroft pupil Ross McFarlane with GHA tenant Agnes Kelly at her home in Carntyne
Smithycroft pupil Ross McFarlane with GHA tenant Agnes Kelly at her home in Carntyne

GHA tenant Agnes Kelly, 74, from Carntyne, was delighted to receive a bag.

She said: “The bag was a great surprise - and a really nice gesture from the youngsters.

“It’s good that young people get involved in something like this and show they care about tenants.”

GHA chair Gordon Sloan said: “This very rewarding project was a great way of building links between young people and older people in our communities.”

Stephen Brown, principal teacher pastoral care at Smithycroft, added: “The young people worked closely with GHA staff, learning about their community and understanding the needs of tenants. It’s been a very successful project.”

Wheatley’s work with schools helps it build links with its communities across Scotland - and helps young people gain an accredited qualification.

Pupils at St Roch’s and Knightswood secondaries in Glasgow are also studying for the CIH Community Action in Housing qualification, as are pupils at Inveralmond Community School in Livingston.

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