How Cernach delivered support for over 900 tenants

Why they chose the Glasgow Gift Card

Cernach Housing Association had winter food funding to distribute to tenants. Their housing management team also wanted to support tenants facing crisis circumstances to stay in their homes through their internal tenancy sustainment fund. Cernach chose to use their local gift card, the Glasgow Gift Card due to the choice on offer though the card, including supermarkets and independent shops and services. Cernach also appreciated the dignity offered by the card, so that tenants didn’t feel judged for using the card.

Benefits

Using the Glasgow Gift Card supported Cernach’s wider aims of community support. Local businesses are the ones that employ Cernach’s tenants, and by choosing the card, they were able to direct funds directly into the local community, boosting the local economy in Drumchapel where poverty has traditionally been high. Using the card in their tenancy sustainment fund enabled Cernach to sustain 100% of tenancies last year.

Tenants want a seamless experience and that is what the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card offers. For any other housing association or group that is planning on distributing funding, I would absolutely recommend the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card. It has been a great experience from a business perspective and from a tenant perspective. It is really easy, and anything that makes the administration of funding pots simple is key.

Emma McShane Corporate Services & Assurance Manager, Cernach Housing Association

Experience of using the card

Once the funding was received, Cernach proceeded to order the cards from Miconex. Despite initial apprehensions about ordering £25,000 worth of gift cards, the experience proved less daunting than expected. To pay, Cernach received an invoice which was easier for them than online bank transfers or credit card. The Glasgow Gift Cards were shipped to Cernach, and activated once Cernach confirmed they had safely arrived. Tenants were invited to collect their card from the office with a form of ID, with visits taking 2-3 minutes per tenant. For tenants unable to visit in person, staff members made arrangements to deliver their card directly. Using the Glasgow Gift Card was much easier for the Cernach team compared to the cash distribution they’ve used in the past.

Feedback

As Scotland’s fourth biggest city, Dundee has a strong tourism economy and using the Dundee Gift Card in tourism initiatives and as employee rewards has enabled the hotel to lead on initiatives which strengthen Dundee as a destination. Malmaison Dundee found ordering the Dundee Gift Card has been very easy, and the feedback they’ve had from staff and customers has been really positive. Staff and customers alike enjoy the choice that’s on offer with Dundee Gift Card, and the variety of things to do. They’re not limited with this card, and it supports local too.

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How Cernach delivered support for over 900 tenants

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