Langstane has partnered with Scarf to spearhead its efforts in distributing the £61,000 fund which was awarded by the Scottish Government Fuel Support Fund and is being administered by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations which encourages a targeted approach to distribution of the fund. Langstane will work with Scarf on a two phase project to assist tenants struggling with the ongoing rises in energy costs. Phase one will see essential assistance provided to 105 households throughout the north-east with their capped gas supplies. Followed by phase two which will see Scarf holding drop-in sessions for Langstane tenants who can obtain free energy advice and home-visits.

Scarf is an Aberdeen social enterprise that specialises in free and impartial energy-saving advice to help people lower their fuel bills and carbon emissions.

In addition to the services offered from Scarf, Langstane are delighted to announce its partnership with AberNecessities who provide disadvantaged families with the essential and basic necessities that no child should go without.

AberNecessities said: “We operate on a referral basis, accepting applications from our network of brilliant professionals across the health, social care and education systems. We know the professionals are best placed to meet the needs and provide the emotional support to the families we support, while we provide the physical items. Our referral system allows us to distribute items fairly and efficiently to families who need them most.”

Langstane Housing Association is also currently in discussions with CFINE regarding a referral process for its customers to ensure they can access not only food but the breadth of other services CFINE can offer. CFINE is the delivery partner operating FareShare Scotland regionally within seven local authority areas across the north of Scotland. They supply over 300 charity and community groups with surplus and donated food.

Langstane Housing Association’s chief executive, Helen Gauld, said: “We are truly delighted to be able to join forces with three very well-respected organisations in the north east. It is vital our combined services work toward helping those who are most vulnerable due to the current cost of living and energy crisis.

“Of the families living in our homes, 32% are in arrears of more than one month and many of these families will require support from Scarf, AberNecessities and CFINE to avoid crisis this winter. On top of this we have a number of other customers who are already in arrears and are feeling the pressure of this challenging economic climate and we want to create new ways to help our customers and communities with the things that matter to them most. These new partnerships are the first step in achieving this.’’