Albyn Housing Society completes new development for the elderly in Nethybridge

A new affordable housing development by Albyn Housing Society for the elderly in Nethybridge is set to welcome its first residents.  

You may be aware that Highland region will be switching over to digital TV this year.  Albyn will be sending information to all of our tenants on how to prepare for the switchover and when it is due to happen in your area. 

Albyn Housing Society is encouraging employees to contribute to the Haiti Disaster Appeal via their salaries and an impressive sum of £1,340.29 has been donated.

Anne Mackay, Helen Cameron, Angela Kay, Helen Barton, Sue Brown, Gayle Anderson, Natasha Shearer, Di Breden, Robin Nairn and Calum Macauly are to thank for the joint donation.

Some have opted to contribute a stated cash sum where others are generously donating a whole day’s pay.  Several other staff at the Invergordon-based Housing Association have previously made donations via their own means.    

Calum Macauly, Chief Executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: “"The recent disaster in Haiti has shocked the world and like everyone we want to help in whatever way we can. 

“The payroll donation scheme is simple, all employees need to do is let Finance know how much to deduct from their wages and the money is transferred straight to the appeal.  We are proud to have such generous, compassionate individuals as part of our team.”

With over 3 million people affected by the earthquake and a death toll of approximately 220,000 it’s clear these donations are going to a very worthwhile cause.

The Housing Society is no stranger to helping those in need.  Similar donation schemes in the past to helped the Indian Ocean Tsunami Appeal as well as Homeless International’s Scottish Sanitation to India Appeal for slum dwellers in India. 

The organisation also holds regular fund-raising schemes and events for Invergordon RNLI Lifeboat, and other charities and causes.

Tain, Scotland’s oldest burgh, is an increasingly popular place to live and the demand for new housing is rising. Development is underway to meet this need, particularly on the slopes to the west of the historic town, where homes enjoy stunning views of the Dornoch Firth, a very short drive to the town centre and easy access to local schools.

David and Morven Moir moved into their new home, built and owned by Invergordon-based Albyn Housing Society, with their two children Georgia (10) and Charlie (2) just in time for Christmas.  Moving to Juniper Drive has dramatically improved their quality of life.

Due to David’s disability he requires a specially adapted bathroom and a house without stairs.  By working with the Albyn team throughout the design process he ensured this was possible whilst still having plenty of room for his young family.

Before they were referred to Albyn Housing Society through the Highland Housing Register (HHR) the recently married couple lived in separate homes, David in Tain and Morven in Alness. When they applied for a home through the HHR their priority need for a custom-built house was identified and they soon became involved in the design of their home on Juniper Drive.

David, who works as a data manager at Blythswood in Invergordon, explained the difference it has made to the family: “In the months before we moved into our new house the four of us were living in my one bedroom flat, which was chaos! We now have four bedrooms and plenty of space and the adapted bathroom makes a huge difference to my everyday life. Having a carport is also great as it means I’m in less danger of slipping getting in and out of my car.

“We’re delighted with our new home and will definitely be here for many years to come.”

Donald Lockhart, Development Director at Albyn Housing Society, said: “It’s pleasing to know that, thanks to Scottish Government funding and the excellent partnership we have with Highland Council in delivering projects like this, we can deliver truly beneficial outcomes as we seem to have done for David and Morven.  There are two custom designed houses in this development of 30 homes for rent and low cost sale and, despite the current financial constraints, we will continue to work with our partners to secure funding to build more homes for people with particular needs for whom a specially adapted home will make a real difference to their lives.”

William Rostock, 62, has been living in his new home - designed, built and owned by Invergordon-based Albyn Housing Society - since December 2009.  The house is situated on the edge of the Royal Burgh of Tain, the small but thriving town in the North East of Scotland.

Located on Juniper Drive, and part of a 30 house Albyn development of homes for affordable rent and low cost sale, is just far away enough from the busy main road to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere which is one of the things Mr Rostock most enjoys about his new home.

What makes William’s home so special is the fact it has been individually designed with his disability in mind and he was able to maintain full contact with Albyn throughout the design process.

For a wheelchair user like Mr Rostock, the key adaptation of the house is the specially-designed kitchen with adjustable height surfaces including the sink unit which, simply by turning a handle, can be moved up or down depending on the needs of the user.

Cheery retired joiner, William, lived in a small council house in the nearby Mansfield estate before moving in to his new home.  As a result of the partnership that Albyn has with the Highland Council, he was referred to Albyn through the Highland Housing Register and describes his new home as “completely fantastic.” 

He said: “I absolutely cannot fault this house in any way at all, it has improved my quality of life beyond belief.

“In my old council house I was really limited for space, but now with all this extra room, my carport and my specially adapted kitchen, everything is so much easier.”

Donald Lockhart, Development Director at Albyn Housing Society, said: “It’s wonderful to see such a success story for one of our tenants but there are many more people like Mr Rostock whom we would also like to help.  We are delighted he is so happy and it shows what can be done when priority cases are identified through joint working with the Council.  It’s up to us to make sure that we make the best case for future funding to enable us to continue to build more specially adapted houses for those in need.”

Albyn Housing Society is continuing to provide very good service levels for its supported clients, according to a recent Care Commission Report.