We are currently experiencing technical difficulties and you may not be able to get hold of us.
We are sorry if you have been trying to reach us. We are working on a fix and aim to have our systems back up and running as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can report emergency repairs by calling 0800 999 2520. And emergency gas and heating repairs by calling 01294 468 113. Thanks for your patience.
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As part of our proposed transfer to Cairn Housing Association, we have issued tenants with a Stage 1 Notice, which gives more information on the transfer and gives you an opportunity to have your say. It is currently being sent to tenants via Royal Mail and should arrive with you shortly. In the meantime, you can read it below. We strongly encourage you to give us your views. You can do so by filling in this online form or by returning the form using the prepaid envelope when you receive your mailing.
We are looking at the possibility of transferring to Cairn Housing Association. Please click on the below document for more information about the transfer, what it means for tenants, and how you can have your say.
We are doing everything we can to help tenants during these financially challenging times. We have successfully applied for funding which is benefitting our tenants who need it the most, held informative roadshows, partnered with organisations to assist them and the great work they do, given out items to help alleviate food and fuel poverty and worked with the local community to help improve their wellbeing.
Scottish Housing Fuel Support Fund We were awarded £35,000 from the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Fuel Support Fund to support tenants and the wider community with the cost of living and fuel poverty crisis. This allowed us to give out cosy packs to tenants to help them reduce their energy bills and keep them warm in their homes. At present, we have supported 156 tenants, with feedback being incredibly positive. Cost of Living Roadshows We delivered two cost of living roadshows in November 2022 and January 2023. We worked with 25 specialised partner agencies to provide information and support around the cost of living and fuel poverty crisis to tenants and the wider community of North Ayrshire. Both roadshows went down really well with attendees being particularly with our energy saving goody bags, which included thermal mugs, blankets, energy saving light bulbs, hats, gloves and temperature gauges. Fuel Bank Foundation We have partnered with The Fuel Bank Foundation. They can offer support and assistance to tenants around fuel poverty issues and people who are currently in crisis. If you think you would benefit from their support, please get in touch and we can make a referral. Heat Grant The Cairn Housing Group, of which Ancho is part of, was awarded a grant of £264,920 from the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Fuel Support Fund. This allowed us to reach out to households on qualifying benefits with dependents under the age of 19 and issue a payment towards their energy bills. Small Steps Counselling Service The Small Steps project has delivered a vital service within the wider community in North Ayrshire, due to the lack of counselling services available in the area. It has empowered clients to feels safe in the therapeutic one-on-one supported environment and has given them a sense of self-worth and achievement. Our project has been an exceptional and unique service that has supported 600 people, of which 139 were Ancho tenants. Client feedback has been positive with them demonstrating the positive impact the project had with regards to reducing levels of anxiety, depression, isolation and loneliness. Due to the end of our funding, this project will sadly no longer be running. Food Poverty We continue to work in partnership with the local foodbank. We have made monetary donations and staff did a reverse advent calendar in November where they brought in an item of food each day then donated it at the end of the month. We are also currently giving out free Easter eggs to tenants with children under the age of 16. We have 800 Easter eggs to give out and our thanks go to James Frew, DM Homeshield, Rodgers & Johnston and Everwarm for donating these eggs. We have made a £2,000 donation to the North Ayrshire Foodbank. In addition to the donation, staff also made a personal contribution by doing a ‘reverse advent calendar’ during the month of November to provide much needed food and toiletries.
The North Ayrshire Foodbank provides a lifeline to people across the region who are experiencing financial difficulties. 1 in 5 people in the UK live below the poverty line and the Trussell Trust, who support the North Ayrshire Foodbank, estimate that 40% of people on Universal Credit are skipping meals to keep up with other essential living costs. Jacquie Gardner, Area Housing Manager at Ancho, said: “The North Ayrshire Foodbank provides an essential service to our community and our tenants. As a referral partner we see the work they do and how they support our tenants in times of need. We are proud to have had the opportunity to give them some much needed support at a time when their services are in greater demand than ever. We are inspired by the amazing work they do.” Craig Crosthwaite of the North Ayrshire Foodbank said: “The foodbank staff and volunteers thank Ancho, and the legion of other supporters, for their dedicated kindness and generosity which is essential to ensure our friends and neighbours across North Ayrshire are assisted to avoid a food crisis. We are fortunate to have organisations like Ancho who care for their communities over and above the direct services they themselves provide.” Many of the things we enjoy over the Christmas period, such as fairy lights, candles and decorations, can all be fire hazards when proper care is not taken.
Read on to find out how to keep your household safe this Christmas. Trees and decorations
Candles
Christmas dinner
Stay safe
As we approach the colder months, the changing weather can cause damage to your home. However, with a few easy steps you can prepare for the chillier months ahead.
Bleed your radiators After a few months out of action, you may find your radiators are cold at the top and hot at the bottom. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your heating (and money), bleed your radiators. Before starting, have an old cloth and a bleed key ready, and make sure the heating is off. There should be a valve on the radiator, usually at the top, and you need to turn this until you hear a hissing sound. Use the cloth to catch any liquid that comes out of the radiator and as soon as only water starts coming out, turn the valve key again. Find your stopcock It’s important to know where your stopcock is so you can stop water flowing into your home in the event of a burst pipe. Your stopcock is usually found under your kitchen sink. But it may also be near the boiler, under the stairs, or on an outside wall. You should be able to turn it to shut the water supply on or turn it on. Keep your heating on a timer If you’re planning to be away and the weather is set to fall, set your heating to come on with a timer setting. This could prevent the water in your pipes freezing if it gets really cold, which could lead to burst pipes or flooding. How to deal with a frozen water pipe
If you’d like any advice or assistance on any of this, including how to find your stopcock or how to bleed your radiators, please get in touch and our maintenance team will be happy to help. |
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Contact UsAncho
Sovereign House, Academy Road, Irvine, KA12 8RL |
Opening hoursMonday to Friday, 9am - 4pm
The office is open to visitors on Monday and Thursday, 9am - 4pm. Please contact us to make an appointment if you'd like to see a member of staff outwith our office opening times, or call or email anytime. |
Company InformationRegistered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014
No 2559R(S) Scottish Housing Regulator No 306 Recognised as a Scottish Charity No SC036082 Registered property factor PF000346 |