Housing advice charity Housing Options Scotland has hired a new housing options broker following a £50,000 funding boost from Nationwide Building Society.

Jil Dyson has joined the team following a grant aimed at supporting the charity in partnership with Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) to help older people in Scotland to live independently for longer.

Garry Samson, Nationwide’s regional director, said: “Helping people into homes of their own is at the heart of what we do as a building society, which is why we’re making funding available for local housing projects.

“In fact, we’re making £22 million available over five years across the UK to do just this and ensure everyone has a place fit to call home.”

The partnership with Elderly Accommodation Counsel will mean the launch of a specific Housing Options for Older People (HOOP) service that older people and their families can easily access.

The project will combine our specialist housing options service for older people with a localised version of Elderly Accommodation Counsel’s self-help tool.

Moira Bayne, CEO of Housing Options Scotland, said: “Everyone at Housing Options Scotland is delighted to welcome our newest team member, Jil Dyson, thanks to this funding from Nationwide.

“We are busier than ever here at HOS so it is great to have Jil join our team.”