Community Events

In November, our team - staff and Board members alike - joined tenants from across Fife for Fife Council's annual Tenant Conference. Throughout the day the sense of purpose was unmistakable: people were there not just to listen, but to engage, question, and shape the future of housing in their community.

Through the course of the day, tenants took part in a series of thoughtful and informative workshops. Sessions on the Housing Emergency, 'What Your Rent Pays For,' and the Allocations Policy Review helped to shed light on some of the biggest issues affecting council tenants today. There was also an update on the latest findings from Fife Council's Customer Satisfaction surveys - an important snapshot of what's working well and where improvements are needed.

What made the day truly meaningful was the openness of the conversations taking place. The conference wasn't simply about presentations from the front room - it was about tenants sharing their lived experience. People spoke passionately about repairs and the conditions of homes, voicing their concerns but also celebrating the positives in their communities.

One of the most engaging moments came when tenants were invited to vote on their priorities for the year ahead. Whether it was investment in home improvements or views on the proposed rent increase, every voice in the room contributed to a clearer picture of what matters most to Fife's communities.

By the end of the day, there was a real sense that this wasn't just a conference. Tenants left with a deeper understanding of how rent is spent, and the Council left with a stronger grasp of what tenants truly value. It felt like a step forward, a step built on conversation, transparency, and shared commitment.

Last week, our team had the pleasure of attending Fife Voluntary Action's Know Your Network event held in Dunfermline - and from the moment we walked into the Glen Pavilion, we knew it was going to be a special morning. The room was full of organisations who share the same passion we do: supporting people, strengthening communities, and helping others take meaningful steps towards training and gain greater confidence going into employment.

There was a real feeling of energy and optimism as groups from across Fife gathered together under one roof. Throughout the morning, we listened to insightful updates on the shifting employability landscape and had the chance to connect with services delivering life-changing support every day. Conversations flowed easily - with familiar partners we've worked alongside for years, and with new faces whose ideas and insights we were excited to learn about.

What struck us the most was the creativity and commitment on display. So many organisations working in different ways, but all with the same core purpose: helping people to move forward. Hearing about fresh initiatives and shared challenges reminded us just how much is happening behind the scenes to support communities across Fife.

But beyond the information, it was the sense of genuine collaboration that stayed with us. The event wasn't simply a networking opportunity; it felt like a gathering of people who truly care, and who understand that progress comes from working together. There was something insightful in every conversation - whether it was a new idea, or simply a renewed sense of motivation.

For ourselves, attending Know Your Network was both grounding and inspiring. It gave us the chance to bring back new insights for our members while also contributing to wider discussions about how employability support can continue to grow and adapt to community needs.

Events like this serve as a reminder of the power of collaboration. When organisations come together with openness and purpose, there isn't just an exchange of knowledge - we create possibilities. And when walking out of the Glen Pavilion, we couldn't help but feel excited about what those possibilities could mean for the communities we serve.

Earlier this month, members from our Board and staff set off to Fife College for the Fife Funders' Fayre hosted by Fife Voluntary Action (FVA). Community groups, charities, social enterprises, support organisations - we were all there with a common goal: to learn, connect, and strengthen the work happening across Fife.

As we move from stall to stall, we met a wide range of funders who shared insights, highlighting grant schemes currently open to local organisations. It wasn't just about funding, though - there was a real sense of collaboration and encouragement. Alongside the funders were organisations such as Kingdom Community Bank, The Carnegie Trust, The National Lottery Fund, among many others, who offered advice and support shaped by years of community experience. 

The FVA team, as always, were incredibly welcoming. Throughout the day they shared practical guidance on everything from writing stronger funding applications to refreshing constitutions and ensuring organisations meet funder requirements. Their advice was clear, and grounded in the realities many community organisations face.

One of the highlights of the day was a series of workshops led by field experts. These covered a variety of topics - funding application tips, charity law updates, PVG and Disclosure Scotland changes. Each session was packed with useful takeaways and insights we've been able to share with our members.

We left the event feeling more informed and with a greater sense of encouragement. Events like the Fife Funders' Fayre are a reminder of the power of connection - not just between organisations and funders, but between people working together to strengthen their communities.

Over the past few weeks, we have been listening and moving forward alongside our community as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) opens an important public conversation about the future of local fire cover. These proposed changes will influence how our towns are protected for years to come, and we felt it was vital to be there - not just as an organisation, but as people who care deeply about community safety.

To make sure local voices were truly heard, we sent representatives to two of the four public consultation meetings held here in Fife: first in Methil, then later in Lochgelly. Each gathering had its own atmosphere, yet there was a clear sense that what was being discussed genuinely mattered. The sessions weren't just presentations; they were opportunities for real conversations.

At the heart of the discussion were questions about how many appliances each station would retain, and what that would mean for response times and emergencies. (In this context, "appliance" simply means a fire engine - a standard SFRS term for the vehicles used to respond to emergencies.)

For communities like Lochgelly, Methil, and Glenrothes, these aren't abstract ideas - they represent the reality of how quickly help arrives when it's needed most.

What's Being Proposed?

SFRS outlined several key changes for Fife:

• Dunfermline: Replacing the station's third appliance - currently a Combined Aerial Rescue Pump (CARP) - with a dedicated high-reach appliance.
• Lochgelly: Reducing the number of wholetime appliances from two to one.
• Methil or Glenrothes: Either maintaining a single wholetime appliance, or reinstating the second one that was temporarily removed in September 2023.

Each proposal carries its own set of possibilities and challenges. It was clear from the conversations in the room that people want decisions grounded in community needs, not just logistics.

What stood out the most at both meetings was the passion - everyone displayed a willingness to ask question, share concerns, and challenge the ideas put on the table. It serves as a reminder of just how strong our communities can be when given the chance to speak up.

We will continue to follow the consultation closely, but the real strength in this process comes from everyday voices. If you took part, encouraged someone else to attend, or even just talked about it at home, you have helped to ensure our community was represented.

FFOTRA Board members and staff attended Fife Council’s Better Homes Exhibition, where our stall, alongside other third-sector organisations and the Damp Team, encouraged valuable discussions.

We engaged with tenants from various areas who were not part of a TRA, providing advice on how to establish one. Additionally, we connected with several existing TRA members.

The event was a great opportunity to collaborate with other agencies and address pressing housing concerns.

Earlier this year, members of our Board and staff spent two days at SCVO's The Gathering 2025, an annual event that brings together third-sector organisations from across Scotland - it's always a highlight in our calendar.

From the moment we arrived, there was a real sense of shared purpose in the room. Everywhere you turned, people were exchanging ideas and discovering new ways to support the communities they work with. For us, it was a chance not only to learn, but to connect with others who care deeply about improving lives across Scotland.

Throughout the event, we joined a variety of one-hour workshops covering a wide range of topics - from employment rights and child poverty to energy costs, funding opportunities and more. Each session offered its own insights and takeaways, giving us practical, grounded knowledge that we're excited to bring back into our work with tenants and residents.

But what stood out the most wasn't just the information - it was the conversations. The Gathering created space for honest discussions about challenges and hopes for the future of support services. These moments of collaboration reminded us how much stronger we are when organisations learn from one another and work together.

Events like this are vital. They spark new ideas, strengthen connections, and help shape better and more responsive support for communities across Fife and beyond. We left feeling motivated and full of new possibilities for the year ahead.

On 18th October 2024, FFOTRA attended the opening of the new Abbeyview Community Centre alongside BASICSIM TRA, CleishMackie TRA, The Islands TRA, and Fife Council Tenant Participation officers, who were available to chat with local tenants and residents' associations. The official Open Day of Abbeyview Community Centre saw a fantastic turnout. Attendees enjoyed taster sessions for various after-school activities, ranging from Scouts to floral displays, arts and crafts, and much more.

FFOTRA organised a "Cost of Living" drop-in event on Thursday 7th September offering advice and support to Fifers and visitors. 

FFOTRA are aware that for some people, as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, costs have severely impacted their lives, especially with the increasing cost on energy and food prices. For some, choosing to eat may stop them from heating their homes.

The event offered a chance for people to speak face-to-face with experts and support agencies who were on hand to listen and offer advice for those seeking support. 

The event was very well attended. and we received extremely positive feedback from attendees and agencies alike.

This event would not have been possible without the support of our partners and volunteers coming together to offer support, guidance, or just a listening ear. We would also like to thank the Kingsgate Shopping Centre, who offered FFOTRA an empty shop to host the event.

On Friday 23rd March, FFOTRA partnered up with various agencies to hold a "Cost of Living Crisis Event" at St. Bryce Kirk, Kirkcaldy. At the event there were over a dozen organisations on hand to listen and offer advice to those seeking support. It was also an opportunity to share some food and meet new people. The day was very well attended, and we received extremely positive feedback from attendees and agencies alike.

We would like to thank the St. Bryce ladies who worked tirelessly providing amazing cakes and hot food, and the agencies, colleagues, and attendees for making the event the success it was.