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SFHA: A year on

It is now over a year since we joined the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) as an Associate Member. Hearing the work that staff at housing associations across Scotland do to ensure safe, warm and affordable homes are provided for so many, whilst handling conflicts between tenants, is something that has coloured our work in the past few years. We have met staff from over 18 housing associations and cooperatives since 2020 and becoming a member of SFHA felt the natural next step. Both to engage more with that sector, but also to learn more.

With limited financial resources, the Scottish Community Mediation Centre carefully considers what organisations to support through subscription. What underlines these decisions is a combination of factors. Shared values, common interests and organisational synergies are some of the considerations. But we also ask of that partnership, that working relationship – “what can we bring to the table and what more things can the two organisations do together than alone?” That essentially is the premise on which great partnerships work. I have been privileged enough in my past work with Sacro to see how a healthy effective partnership, such as Shine’s women’s mentoring service can work well. Where creativity is encouraged, where differences are celebrated and the mix of talents, skills and areas of expertise are openly shared.

I look forward to the coming year working closer with our colleagues in other organisations, from organisations such as SFHA, Scottish Mediation, Restorative Justice Council and Community Development Alliance Scotland (CDAS). I believe we can share learning and gain knowledge from effective partnerships, whether they are formalised or not.

So here’s to the next twelve months.