SBHA and Partners spreading joy at Christmas
Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) and its partners are spreading festive cheer once again this Christmas, supporting young people across the Scottish Borders with generous donations.
This year’s beneficiaries are Cash for Kids Mission Christmas Appeal, Quarriers Resilience for Wellbeing Service, and the 16+ Transitions Project for Care Leavers.
As part of our contractor community benefits, SBHA and partners—Jewson Partnership Solutions (East Scotland), Midburn Construction Ltd, Sidey Solutions Ltd, and John O’Conner (Grounds Maintenance) Ltd—plus, Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation (SBTO) made cash donations to these charities totalling £2,100, while SBHA staff contributed a thoughtful box of gifts for Cash for Kids, bringing extra joy to the festive season.
Julia Mulloy, Chief Executive at SBHA said: “At SBHA we are committed to helping young people and their families within the local communities across the Scottish Borders. We have huge admiration for the work of Cash for Kids and are delighted to have been able to make this donation to help brighten up Christmas for young people in the Borders. In addition, the challenges facing young people have never been greater, and we greatly admire the work of the Quarriers team and the variety of support and wealth of assistance they provide to our local young people in our secondary schools. We are also delighted to be supporting the 16+ Transitions Project at Albert Place in Galashiels, in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, to ensure that the residents living there enjoy some festive celebrations.”
Jennifer Millar, Partnership Account Manager – East Scotland for Jewson Partnership Solutions commented: ‘‘Jewson Partnership Solutions, in partnership with SBHA, is delighted our contribution will help make Christmas more memorable for local families in the Scottish Borders community during such difficult times. People need support more than ever, and the work and commitment shown by all the staff and volunteers at the chosen charities is inspirational and we are more than happy to support.”
Carly Mackenzie, Charity Manager – Cash for Kids: Mission Christmas added: “We are delighted to accept this donation from SBHA and partners. This year again has been extremely difficult for so many families and, with almost 1,300 applications from families for Christmas, this incredible donation will go a long way in helping us to ensure that no child wakes up on Christmas Day without a gift. Without donations like these we would not be able to do the work we do, and we are incredibly grateful.”
Angela Freeman, Service Co-ordinator, Quarriers Resilience for Wellbeing Service said: “Quarriers Resilience for Wellbeing Service extends its deepest gratitude to SBHA and partners for their incredibly generous donation. This contribution will go directly towards our annual Christmas Hamper Campaign. Donations like this are essential to enable us to bring a little extra magic to families across the Scottish Borders.”
The annual Cash for Kids Mission Christmas Appeal raises money and collects gifts to be distributed to young people who may not otherwise receive any at Christmas. Money raised and gifts collected remain within the local area.
Founded in 2018, Quarriers Resilience for Wellbeing Service is a network across the Borders who has a Resilience Coordinator in each of the nine high schools across our region. Quarriers want to equip young people with the skills and confidence to take charge, and take care, of, their own mental health and wellbeing, but with the knowledge a door will always be open should they need it.
SBHA continues to jointly fund, in partnership with Scottish Borders Council (SBC), the 16+ Transitions Project for Care Leavers in the Scottish Borders, providing supported accommodation at Albert Place in Galashiels to promote tenancy sustainment and independent living. To date, 64 young people have received support with the transition from care to independent living.
Community benefits arise from Contracts awarded by SBHA, through which suppliers allocate time, skills, materials, employment opportunities or financial contributions to the communities within which SBHA operates. To meet their commitment this year, key suppliers have taken the opportunity to support SBHA’s own financial contributions to the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas Appeal, Quarriers Resilience for Wellbeing Service, and the 16+ Transitions Project for Care Leavers, all based in the Scottish Borders.