Irvine Housing Association (IHA) has visited pupils at Abbey Primary and Corsehill Primary to deliver interactive sessions on careers advice and energy efficiency to the Kilwinning youngsters.

To celebrate Energy Saving Week this October, Kathryn Morrison, affordable warmth officer, delivered interactive presentations to P5 pupils on what IHA do to protect the environment, as well as tips on recycling, being energy efficient and small changes we can make around the home and school to reduce waste.

Kathryn also covered how the Association makes its homes energy efficient and how she helps customers to lower their fuel bills.

The presentations finished with a poster competition where the pupils were asked to design a poster for Energy Saving Week. All pupils received an IHA goody bag and energy saving workbook full of information, tips and quizzes on being ‘green’. A great afternoon was had at both schools where pupils were bursting with ideas and enthusiasm.

Gillian Scott, employability officer at Irvine Housing Association, delivered an interactive session entitled ‘My Future’ to P7s. This is aimed at pupils who are moving onto secondary school after the summer and highlights how important it is to leave school with qualifications as well as aiding discussion around what they want to be when they grow up.

Pupils received a ‘My Future’ workbook, produced by IHA, and with direction from Gillian, they were able to explore the skills they already possess and the types of skills their dream job may require. This interactive session helped the pupils look into a variety of careers and how their skills can be transferred to jobs they may not have even considered. Gillian rounded off the day with 3 words – chase your dream.

The Association will be carrying out further sessions with schools in its areas of operation.

Irvine Housing Association is committed to responding to the changing needs of its customers and provides much needed customer support services including affordable warmth, employability and money advice.

In 2014/15 Kathryn carried out over 100 energy checks in customers’ homes, helping them get the best tariff, as well as applying for energy funding for eligible customers. Gillian helped 37 customers into employment and 25 into training & education. The Association’s money advisors have generated over half a million pounds in benefit claims, backdates and grants for customers since the service was launched in 2012.

@IRVINEHA