As the cost-of-living crisis continues to take hold, Places for People Scotland secured funding from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) to help local communities and prevent them struggling with their energy bills. A total of £120,000 was secured, with the funds now distributed to customers.

517 customers living in Places for People Scotland homes have now received the vouchers, including 91-year-old Mary from Dalkeith; Mary said the vouchers freed up funds to buy food, saying: “My pension just covers my rent, so I live a very frugal life. I live alone and don’t buy new clothes – if I need something I go to the charity shop.

“Fuel has been, and still is, a huge worry. I’m 91 and have osteoarthritis, pain in my knees and I recently fractured my back – so I’m in constant pain and need to stay warm. It was truly amazing to receive the vouchers and they made a huge difference.

“Life is tough for so many of us but help via things such as the Pay Point vouchers really made a huge difference to my life and I’m very, very thankful.”

Other customers echoed Mary’s words, saying the vouchers had prevented them from choosing between heating and eating. Fraser from Edinburgh received a £250 Pay-Point voucher and said: “The difference it’s made to my month is huge and the voucher is very welcome and most gratefully received.

“The scheme is a great idea and will help many people struggling to make ends meet. Sometimes it feels never ending with the cost of living increasing all the time – food, fuel, bills – everything is getting more and more expensive so I’m very thankful to Places for People as this voucher certainly eases my life in the short-term.”

The support is the latest in a series of initiatives from Places for People Scotland. Towards the end of 2022, the organisation provided funding donations ranging between £750 - £2,000 to 33 cost-of-living projects across Scotland, as well as providing funding to aid the running of five warm spaces.

Katie Smart, director of Places for People Scotland, added: “The cost-of-living crisis is an issue for so many people across the country. We have made it our mission to find new ways to support people, be that through warm hubs, community support, or the SFHA initiative.

“We are proud to have reached so many people across our communities and hope we have been able to make a small difference in such a challenging time.”

The SFHA initiative was delivered by Places for People Scotland, one of Scotland’s leading charitable housing associations, owning and managing over 9,000 homes for almost 10,500 customers across the country.

Katie Smart concluded: “We are committed to supporting people in communities across Scotland, and our long-term ambition is to change the way homes are designed, built, and managed to provide housing choices that create and support thriving communities.”