Across its team of more than 50 people, BHA anticipates more than 750 hours will be pledged by the end of 2025.

BHA created its Colleague Volunteering policy as part of its commitment to supporting community activities and engagement. The policy was approved by the BHA Board earlier this year and provides opportunities for colleagues to volunteer up to two full working days each year.

The volunteering efforts will support activities such as:

• Fundraising activities for community projects or charities
• Supporting the operations of local community organisations
• Environmental clean-ups or recycling initiatives
• Educational initiatives

BHA colleagues are also encouraged to volunteer with BHA’s BeFriend Service. The service, supported by The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, helps people over 65 years old, living in Berwickshire and Kelso to maintain social connections and engage with their local communities.

BHA’s chief executive, Michelle Meldrum, said: “We’ve recently formalised our colleague volunteering approach to support colleagues to get involved in local community activities which contribute towards making a positive difference to customers and communities. 

“Volunteering brings many benefits for our colleagues including improving skills, confidence, self-esteem and overall wellbeing. It’s been a great way to bring our teams together to support organisations who provide voluntary and community services in Berwickshire.

“In the last few months 13 colleagues have pledged their time to various good causes. The most recent project supported by 7 BHA volunteers was Berwickshire Swap who organise and deliver children’s clothing swaps with donations and pre-loved items.

“Our whole team are signed up to our new approach and in the year ahead, we have the potential to contribute more than 750 hours of volunteering to activities that complement our work as the main housing provider in Berwickshire.”

BHA’s chair, Hugh Carr, added: “BHA’s Board is delighted to support this initiative to encourage our colleagues to support other community and voluntary organisations across Berwickshire. We’re proud of our heritage and continuing role as a community anchor organisation so providing support to projects and organisations in Berwickshire is a brilliant way for us to develop our contribution in our 30th anniversary year. We’re looking forward to supporting many more over the weeks and months ahead.”