The organisation’s Gift Aid initiative has supported 148 projects and activities with grant funding of £939,432 since the scheme launched in 2013.

Angela Linton, Hillcrest’s chief executive, said: “Since its launch seven years ago our Gift Aid initiative has transformed the quality of life for people facing severe and multiple disadvantages. With close to £1M of funds being awarded over the years, many of the services started by Gift Aid are now core functions in the organisation.”

Clare McNally, Hillcrest’s fundraising and grants officer, added: “Gift Aid is a process where profits generated by the commercial arms of the organisation are invested back into our charitable companies, Hillcrest Futures and Hillcrest Homes.

“Funds are available for all staff to apply for with priority given to projects that directly benefit our service users, tenants and customers. We encourage staff to involve our stakeholders in the process by drawing on their ideas to ensure the projects we deliver meet their individual needs.”

Over the last year, 39 projects were funded including Hillcrest Futures’ Angus Outreach service for people with additional needs, which used funds to lease a car for the next three years. The car has enabled support workers to take service users to educational and social activities they would otherwise not have access to, which greatly enhances their lives and improves their wellbeing.

Another project that has benefitted from funds is Hillcrest’s Energy Advice Team (HEAT) which has used the money to hire an energy advisor to undertake community engagement in areas where Hillcrest has stock, such as delivering educational sessions in local schools where the team can reach families they may not otherwise engage with.

Angela Linton concluded: “Going forward in order to grow the scheme we are replacing it with the Hillcrest Foundation, which will ultimately offer the opportunity to not only support internal activities, but it will also be open to external initiatives to benefit the wider community. We would hope to be in a position to launch this in 2021.”