Ardenglen previously worked in a successful partnership with Money Matters to deliver financial support to tenants. But the cost of living crisis meant demand for help was too great for the service to cope, and they decided to extend the team and bring the service in-house last year.

The team comprise of a full time financial inclusion officer, part time energy advisor and a full time financial and digital inclusion worker.

So far, they have helped 341 households resulting in £1524 extra income per household, benefits that they were entitled to but not claiming.

“The additional resource of the Financial Inclusion Officer, along with two funded posts, has been instrumental in supporting our customers through the cost of living crisis – the financial gains achieved and the positive feedback received from customers speak for themselves,” said Ardenglen’s director of customer services, Suzanne Casey.

Ardenglen manage around 1000 houses in the south Glasgow housing estate.

Over the course of the year they have also helped 26 individuals protect their assets by helping them engage with the Debt Arrangement Scheme to help them manage their arrears. In addition, they set up a new partnership with The Furnishing Service to secure new white goods for vulnerable and new tenants. The partnership helps the association reduce the potential of tenancy failure and helps people in crisis.

The team’s energy advisors helped 274 tenants with their bills preventing disconnection and helping to resolve complaints.

“With energy prices continuing to take a significant chunk of household income we were delighted to be able to increase the level of support we can offer local people to help them keep bills down,” added Suzanne.