The Association has provided jobs for two unemployed men as part of the hugely-successful Community Jobs Scotland initiative.

Working in partnership with hundreds of employers across Scotland the initiative has seen more than 8,620 vacancies filled with plans to create a further 700 by this March.

It is delivered by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations working in partnership with the Scottish Government and Scotland’s third sector.

Now Elderpark is doing its bit having given positions to George Whitton (19) and Darren Kelt (29) for the next 12 months.

They are engaged in estate work cleaning up the community and areas where the Association has its homes.

Both are delighted to have been successful in securing jobs with the Association.

George said: “We are enjoying being out and about and a number of tenants have spoken to us about why the job we do is important. Keeping the community looking tidy clearly matters to many people. We’re pleased to be making that happen.”

Darren added: “The recent good winter weather – even though it has been cold – has helped us get stuck in to the work. Being out and about in the community is something we both enjoy.”

Community Jobs Scotland focuses in particular on unemployed young people aged 16-29 who are care experienced, are carers themselves, early Armed Forces service leavers, those with criminal convictions and those who have disabilities or other health issues.

Jim Fraser, estates management inspector at Elderpark, said: “We are delighted to have George and Darren on board. Because they are out and about a lot they are ambassadors for Elderpark, engaging with local people, and working on the important issue of keeping our community looking good.”

Elderpark chief executive, Gary Dalziel, added: “Providing support and opportunities for employment is something that we are wholly supportive of. The work that that the SCVO does in partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver such an inspiring initiative as Community Jobs Scotland makes a real difference in getting people back to work in jobs they really want to do. We are pleased to be able to participate in the scheme.”