Training Events

FFOTRA Board members and staff recently took part in a valuable training session delivered by Jill Walker from Shelter Scotland, who provided an informative overview of key areas of housing legislation.

The session covered a range of important topics, including homelessness, repair and disrepair, damp and mould, and the respective responsibilities of tenants and social landlords. It offered a helpful introduction to the legal framework surrounding these issues, as well as practical insight into how they affect tenants in real situations.

The training was well received by all who attended, with participants finding it both engaging and informative. It also provided an opportunity to ask questions and discuss common challenges faced within our communities.

This session forms part of FFOTRA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening knowledge and capacity, ensuring we are better equipped to support Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations (TRAs) and individual tenants when dealing with housing-related concerns.

FFOTRA would like to thank Jill Walker and Shelter Scotland for delivering such a useful and insightful session.

FFOTRA staff and several Board members have now completed training through the Fife Advice Framework – Get Help Fife, enabling us to better support residents who may be experiencing difficulties. We can now offer help with:

• Income Maximisation
• Money & Debt Advice
• Home Energy Advice
• Housing Advice

If you or someone you know may benefit from this support, please feel free to get in touch with us. We’re here to help. 

On 26 February, Robert Keddie, Energy Advisor at Cosy Kingdom delivered Level 1 Advice Framework (Energy Advice Skills) training to our staff and volunteers.

The session covered:

•  Home energy advice
•  Understanding fuel poverty
•  The causes and drivers of fuel poverty
•  Common signs to look out for
•  Signposting and referral pathways

The session was very informative, and our staff and volunteers came away with valuable tips and practical advice to share with our members.

If you or someone you know could benefit from support with energy or debt advice, please get in touch with Cosy Kingdom directly on 01592 807930 or via email at info@cosykingdom.org.uk

FFOTRA has delivered three successful office bearers training sessions over the past year and plans to run another later this year.

These sessions focus on real-life scenarios that office bearers may encounter within their roles in TRAs, offering practical solutions and helping participants develop a clearer understanding of their responsibilities. They are designed to build confidence and strengthen the skills needed to run a TRA as effectively as possible.

If you’re interested in attending a future session, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please call 01592 641968 to register your interest.

On 4th and 5th September, FFOTRA along with Cosy Kingdom held two Fuel Poverty training sessions. The training provided frontline staff and volunteers knowledge on how to help and support those in or near to a crisis situation. These sessions were a great success with four TRAs attending the session in Rosyth - Walter Hay, Lismore, Golfdrum, and Brucefield, and members from The Forum attending the Kirkcaldy session along with Kirkcaldy tenants.

14 March 2025

On Friday 14 March, Iryna and George from Kingdom Community Bank presented their ‘Making Ends Meet’ workshop at Philp Hall, Kirkcaldy. They delved into household budgeting, cost-effective loan options, and practical money-saving tips. Kingdom Community Bank offers excellent online tools to assist with budgeting and saving money.

Check them out at: https://kingdomcb.org.uk/

We had a fantastic turnout for our Personal Safety Home & About Workshop led by PC Ashley McGregor from Police Scotland. The focus was on crime prevention. PC McGregor discussed various aspects of staying safe, both at home and when out and about. She highlighted aids available for purchase through Police Scotland, or online, that can enhance your safety. Topics included ATMs, CCTV, home callers, nuisance calls, personal alarms, and more. If you're interested in attending a similar workshop, please let FFOTRA know so we can arrange another session.

"Making Ends Meet" was a brief workshop presented to the FFOTRA Board and staff by George Cuthill and Iryna Mackie. The workshop covered various topics, including financial fraud, high-cost lending, creating a household budget, and finding affordable loans. Participants also took part in a food and drinks test, comparing branded items with cheaper alternatives. While some found little difference in taste, others preferred to stick with branded products. 

If you're interested in attending a "Making Ends Meet" workshop, please let us know. If there is enough interest, we will arrange a meeting.