On Friday 7th March, New Gorbals Housing Association hosted a special appreciation lunch to mark International Women’s Day 2025.
The event was held to honour and appreciate the many female volunteers who work with the Association across various groups and disciplines.
Each of the ladies in attendance plays an important part in helping Gorbals thrive, from those involved in the Housing Association’s Management Committee to those who give up their time and expertise at community groups and events.
The lunch took place at New Gorbals Housing Association’s office and featured afternoon tea with a relaxing introduction to mindfulness. Tracey McCauley, Head of Maintenance at New Gorbals, also spoke at the lunch to voice appreciation for all the women that make vital contributions to the Association:
“From keeping our streets clean with the Community Litter Pick, shaping decisions on the Management Committee, Tenants Panel and resident’s groups, bringing fresh ideas through the Gorbals Ideas Fund, to creating welcoming spaces with our Community Meals and Breakfasts, our volunteers are the heart of this community.
“So, I’d like to take this opportunity today to say thank you to our female volunteers. For your drive, resilience, and your dedication. For your time, your energy, your ideas, and your kindness.”
New Gorbals Housing Association is a community-controlled housing association, run by its members in the form of a Management Committee. The Committee, made up of tenants and residents in the Gorbals, give their time, knowledge and expertise throughout the year to ensure the Association is run to the benefit of the people of Gorbals.
Tenants are also invited to give contribution to the Association in the form of a Tenant’s Panel, which is designed to scrutinise the work of the Association and put forward feedback from tenants.
In addition to this, the Wider Action team offer a volunteering programme for local tenants and residents, giving them the opportunity to gain certification in volunteering. This allows them to volunteer at Gorbals events and activities, from the regular Big Gorbals Dinner to the annual Gorbals Fair.
Another important way local people can contribute to Gorbals is through the Gorbals Ideas Fund. This is a participatory budgeting project, which means local people get to put forward ideas and decide how a pot of £60,000 is spent across the Gorbals. The project is run with the help of a number of volunteers, known as Community Advocates.
The Association will hold another event for all volunteers in June.
