Two groups of 10-14 students arrived at the Stables each morning to learn about the history of Castlemilk and Cassiltoun Housing Association, its housing management, maintenance and development and the wider role activities that the Association carries out.

The students heard from director of finance Gamal Haddou about the finances of the organisation and were particularly keen to hear about the different funding that the Association gets to assist with financing new build developments and its wider role activities, in addition to how the Association sets and manages it’s rental income.

A presentation on the history of Castlemilk and Cassiltoun Housing Association through to present day then followed by director of operations Fiona McGowan and housing manager (services) Clare MacLean with many interesting and varied questions being posed.

Thereafter, a tour of the Stables Building with communities co-ordinator Paddy McKenna followed with an explanation of the many and varied wider role activities that take place and they met the participants of our Stables Studio and art class set up to tackle social isolation and loneliness.

Prior to leaving for the final part of the morning the students met Anna Stuart MBE, chairperson of the Association, who was delighted to welcome the visitors.

Anna said: “I am always amazed at the interest from home and abroad in the work that we do here.  It was lovely to meet our French visitors and hear their thoughts on what they had been learned.”

Finally, the students were taken on a tour of the housing stock including a visit to our new build sites and a vacant property. Both groups were very impressed with the standard of the housing stock, internally, externally and environmentally and met local tenants along the way.

Fiona added: “It was a pleasure to be able to share the history and work of the Association and enlightening to hear the differences between social housing in Scotland compared to France it was a thoroughly enjoyable two days and we all French and Scottish learnt a lot.”