News

NEW HOMES Residents move into 11 new properties at Lampson Court

We are proud to have launched 11 new homes in Killearn.

The properties represent our “ambitious and enduring” work to keep on building affordable homes for rent and low cost ownership.

The development was formally opened by Councillor Willie Ferguson, Convenor of Stirling Council’s Housing Committee.

Councillor Ferguson said: “We are delighted to support this development from Rural Stirling Housing Association. There are many challenges to face in the drive to deliver affordable housing for our communities, particularly in rural areas, which have seen increasing development costs and significant competition for housing sites.

“Strong collaboration with key partners such as Rural Stirling Housing Association is essential and these much-needed new homes will be warmly welcomed by the local community.”

The Killearn development - built by McTaggart Construction - comes less than six months after we unveiled 14 new homes for rent in nearby Croftamie.

Our Chairperson Fiona Boath said: “Affordable homes play a crucial role in supporting the communities we serve. There remains a consistent and pressing need for housing in these areas and we remain committed to our mission of providing affordable high-quality housing.”

The development costing £2.83m consists of four one bedroom flats, four two bedroom flats, two three bedroom houses and a single four bedroom amenity bungalow. Nine are for social rent while the remaining two are shared equity properties.

Our Chief Executive Donna Birrell added: “Our new homes in Killearn represent a further step forward in delivering on our promise to keep on building affordable new homes across rural Stirlingshire. We readily acknowledge the contribution of the Scottish Government and Stirling Council in helping to make these homes a reality. The Scottish Government and Stirling Council share our vision of delivering quality affordable housing.”

Janice Russell, Managing Director at McTaggart Construction, said: “It's fantastic to see the official opening of the Lampson development. Rural communities like Killearn deserve access to quality, affordable housing, and working with RSHA and Macdonald & Cameron to deliver that has been brilliant. We're proud to have played our part in creating homes that will make a genuine difference to local families."

The new homes – in keeping with modern building standards - offer impressive eco credentials including solar panels, are highly energy efficient and economical to run.

In December we will mark 35 years as a housing association having been created in 1990. Since then we have delivered a total of 693 homes for social rent - reflecting its strong commitment to rural housing.

*To mark the opening new resident Jacqueline Buik was presented with a gift of flowers and chocolates from us all at RSHA."

Photo: Councillor Ferguson, RSHA Chair Fiona Boath and new resident Jacqueline Buik.

Lampson Road, Killearn Opening Nov 2025

Lampson Road, Killearn Opening Nov 2025 (3)

Lampson Road, Killearn Opening Nov 2025 (2)

Tenant Satisfaction Survey

At Rural Stirling Housing Association, we’re committed to providing high-quality homes and services that meet our tenants’ needs. To help us understand what we’re doing well and where we can improve, we’ve asked Research Resource, an independent research company, to carry out our Tenant Satisfaction Survey.

What the survey is about

The survey will ask for your views on:

• The services RSHA provides

• Your home and local neighbourhood

• What we do well and what could be improved

Your feedback is really important — it helps us focus on what matters most to you and ensure we continue to improve our services.

When and how the survey will take place

• Surveys will take place from 6 November until late November

• Research Resource interviewers will be visiting homes across our communities

• Interviews will last no more than 20 minutes

• Visits may happen during the day, early evening, or at weekends

Identification and confidentiality

All Research Resource interviewers will carry photographic ID. Please ask to see their identification before taking part in the survey.

Taking part is completely voluntary, but your feedback really does make a difference.

All responses are confidential and anonymous — individual feedback will not be shared with RSHA unless you specifically request it.

Once the survey is complete, Research Resource will provide RSHA with a summary report of the findings to help us identify strengths and areas for improvement.

For more information about how your data will be handled, please see the Research Resource Privacy Notice.

Thank you

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your views. Your feedback will help us continue to improve our homes, services, and communities across rural Stirling.

Citizen's Advice Bureau Drop-in Sessions, to be held on the first Wednesday of each month at Kirk Hall, Callander.

An RSHA Housing Services Officer will be in attendance at these events to help with any queries you may have.

Pension Age Winter Fuel Payments to begin in November 2025

We are pleased to update our senior citizen customers on winter heating support from the Government.

The Scottish Government has now announced that from November, eligible people of State Pension age will get a payment between £101.70 and £305.10 depending on their circumstances.  Most people will receive their payment automatically and no action is needed.

For pensioners with a taxable income of over £35,000, the payment will be repaid through the tax system during the 2026/27 financial year.

An eligibility checker has been created to help people find out how much they are likely to receive.

It can be found at www.mygov.scot/pension-age-winter-heating-payment

Social Security Scotland will send a letter to everyone who will receive a payment. Payments will start in November and continue throughout the winter.

Pensioners set to receive the payment will have been born on, or before, 21 September 1959 and living in Scotland during the qualifying week which was Monday 15 September to Sunday 21 September 2025. 

How much people will get paid will depend on:

• their age

• the age of anyone they live with who is also eligible for Pension Age Winter Fuel Payment

• if they receive certain benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as a joint award

• if they live in residential care

Social Security Scotland will send the payment to the same account as an individual’s State Pension, or any Social Security Scotland benefit received.

Find out more on Pension Age Winter Fuel Payment at Pension Age Winter Fuel Payment - mygov.scot

The public should beware of scams around winter fuel payments. Social Security Scotland will NEVER request any personal information via email or text message.

2025 Sept Ascent Leadership photo

Leadership is firmly in focus at Rural Stirling

23 September 2025

Creating the very best leadership has been given a renewed focus here at Rural Stirling Housing Association.

We have embarked on a transformative programme of “leading with intent” in what is the first phase of a cultural change endeavour.

RSHA has teamed up with leadership development professionals Ascent Leadership to drive forward leadership excellence.

Already, the senior management team has undergone strategic leadership development work in keeping with our forward-thinking agenda as we embrace and seek to enhance our strong governance credentials.

Importantly, your Board members have been involved in the process through a series of “taster sessions” and there are plans to roll out leadership development to other members of staff.

Our Chief Executive Donna Birrell explained: “Good leadership, whether it is from senior staff or a Board of Management, has a crucial impact on the operation of any organisation.

“Our customers expect the very best service possible and we strive to deliver that at all times across our range of services from building affordable homes to a fast and efficient repairs service to our vital community regeneration work.

“So we were delighted to engage with Kate Carmichael of Ascent Leadership as she brings her expertise and knowledge of how we can increase leadership capability across our organisation.

“The sessions have been extremely worthwhile as we develop a positive culture shift towards intent-based leadership.

“It also has the added benefit of improving senior leadership succession planning.”

RSHA Chair Fiona Boath who has a long history of volunteering both outside and within the housing sector praised the work RSHA and Ascent were doing together.

Fiona said: “Having completed my first year as Chair I have learned a great deal about the role which is rewarding and challenging at the same time.

“Ascent Leadership have brought a fresh perspective to leadership and we greatly value the knowledge which it is bringing to the work we do as a housing provider. It will undoubtedly help us face the future with renewed confidence.”

Kate Carmichael said: ““Leading with Intent is the first phase of a cultural change programme, and we have started with the senior team.

“While everyone shapes culture, leaders have a disproportionate influence—through their behaviour, decisions, and what they choose to prioritise.

“I’m especially pleased to see members of the Board engaging in this work. Their alignment and visible support will be critical as the senior team leads the way.

“I can introduce new language and tools, but lasting change depends on what this team does next. I’m excited to see how they will bring this to life over the coming months—because that’s when it becomes real work and meaningful change, not a tick-box exercise.”

Pictured: FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP…..(left to right) Gerry Casey, Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Finance and Corporate Services; Craig Wood, Director of Housing and Property Services; Chief Executive Donna Birrell; Chair Fiona Boath and Board Member Margaret Vass OBE

STIRLING COUNCIL LEADER PRAISES WORK OF RSHA

AGM hears of Councillor Gerry McGarvey’s admiration and “personal fondness” for housing association

THE work of Rural Stirling Housing Association has been praised by the Leader of Stirling Council.

Delivering the keynote address at our 35th AGM held in Callander, he told of his admiration for the work we have undertaken over three and a half decades in serving the community and delivering affordable housing.

Councillor McGarvey called RSHA a “beacon” for Stirlingshire’s rural communities and that we were – in the true spirit of community-based housing providers - motivated by good intentions to make a difference in many people’s lives.

He reminded the meeting that over the years RSHA had grown our housing stock to almost 700 homes and that “Stirling Council wants to see that figure grow as good housing transforms lives”.

Councillor McGarvey added: “I have a personal fondness for RSHA and we will continue to work closely with you. Be assured that the voice of RSHA will be heard. We genuinely believe in the value of the work you do.”

In her address, having completed a first year as Chairperson, Fiona Boath spoke of a ”testing” year for so many people with the ever-present cost of living challenges.

Fiona said: “It is well recognised that constructing small housing developments in rural areas remains difficult. Despite ongoing support, the housing shortage persists, and the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect our tenants, customers, and the Association financially. These issues, among others, continue to test our resilience.

“Managing this situation has required significant effort from our staff, and I want to thank them for their dedication in maintaining our services over the past year.

“We understand the importance of building new affordable homes in our rural communities with 14 new properties at McQueen Way, Croftamie occupied in December. Funding for our forthcoming Balmaha development was secured in Spring this year, representing a major step forward for this project that has been in the pipeline since I joined the Board! I am excited to see it finally moving forward.

“The development of 11 homes at Lampson Road, Killearn is well underway and due for completion this autumn. It will bring more new homes where they are so badly needed.

“Whilst building new homes, we mustn’t lose sight of our existing homes and continue to upgrade these properties, replacing windows & doors at 34 homes, along with boiler replacement at a further 22 homes. The planned maintenance programme expenditure amounted to £500,000.

Fiona added: “The Board of Management is a great team of volunteers. We have a good mix of people with relevant professional expertise, some of whom are also tenants, who commit many hours to overseeing the strategic direction of the organisation. And there are currently vacancies for individuals who would like to join the Board to support our community-based housing.

“At this AGM, however we say goodbye to Ken Butler who has served on our Board for 4 years, to Susan Macmillan who has served for 10 years, and to Linda Anderson - one of our longest standing Board Members who will be stepping down after an incredible 21 years. We thank them all for their dedication and commitment to the Board of Management over their years of service.

The AGM also heard from RSHA’s external financial auditors who gave the Association a clean bill of health in terms of its finances.

Another stand out achievement during the year was the continuing success of “My Rural” – the Association’s online self-service portal.

This innovative gateway - accessible online - is available round the clock and provides customers with the opportunity to pay rent, check what they owe, report a repair and generally manage their tenancy.

The Association is encouraging more tenants to sign up and register for the free service.

Meanwhile, in our recently published Annual Report for 2024-25 – we can reveal we have put a colossal sum of money back into tenants’ pockets through what’s known as our “income maximisation service”.

Remarkably, through this free and confidential service, we have recorded £325,456 being obtained for tenants - often as a result of State benefits they did not know they were entitled to claim

Donna Birrell, our Chief Executive, said “This astonishing sum achieved in just one year demonstrates our commitment to our tenants as we endeavour to help people claim money to which they are entirely entitled and in many instances ease financial pressure.”

2025 Garden Competition Winners announced at the AGM were:

Best Individual Garden: