The executive committee meeting via Microsoft Teams

The IT equipment will be used to enable members to carry on their work in their own homes, while the Federation Office is closed in accordance with government guidance.

The EAFED receives ongoing development support from the Tenants Information Service (TIS) which assisted with the application process and has provided technical support and training to help group members to successfully ‘go digital’.

This has meant that executive committee meetings have been able to go ahead via Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and the crucial work been carried out around the scrutiny of East Ayrshire Council’s void housing re-let service and its kitchen and bathroom replacement programme has been able to continue.

The EAFED is keen to deliver new projects and to continue to work closely with East Ayrshire Council, and the technology and new digital skills will facilitate this.

The funding has also been used to allow EAFED to set up a ‘Laptop Library’. Lap-tops and MiFi internet access units can be borrowed by local tenant and resident groups to support them to carry on with their work.

The EAFED will also offer ‘peer support’ and remote training to help groups make use of the devices and digital platforms, such as Zoom. 

The group’s website and Facebook page are being used to keep local tenants and residents up to date with both local and national information, advice and top-tips, and anyone looking to get in touch will find all the contact information here.

Bruce Cuthbertson, chair, East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents, said: “We are delighted that, with support from TIS, we have been able to access the funds to allow us to continue to work during this time. Our work is not only important for improving services and managing relationships between the council and tenants, but it is a valuable social network for our members and we feel it is vital to keep people connected to support their mental health and prevent isolation during this time.”