Tag: ETF

Holyrood reception marks ETF’s special year 

Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF) celebrated their 25^th Anniversary with a Parliamentary Reception hosted by MSP Sarah Boyack on Wednesday evening.

Edinburgh Tenants Federation, which has a membership of over 40 tenants and residents groups across the city, was congratulated on its 25^th Anniversary by the MSP.

ETF members old and new joined in the celebrations along with representatives from the Tenants Information Service, Blackwood Homes and Care, the International Association for Community Development (IACD), Shakti Women’s Aid and Inverkeithing Community Initiative.  MSPs Gordon MacDonald and Alison Johnstone also joined the celebrations.

The event featured contributions from Sarah Boyack MSP, Convenor Betty Stevenson and Vice Convenor Maud Wylie, who said that the success of ETF could not have been achieved without the determination and commitment of the tenant volunteers.  Councillor Cammy Day talked of the work that Edinburgh City Council and ETF have collaborated on over the years, in particular the successful tenant-led inspections.

Sarah Boyack MSP said: “The work of the Federation over the years has been fantastic.  It has been great to see the work that has been done supporting tenants with mental ill health and campaigning for fairer rents.  I was very encouraged to hear that the Federation are already working with the Syrian community in helping the refugees coming to settle in to the city.”

ETF Convener Betty Stevenson said: “Thanks to Sarah for hosting this event for us; it was wonderful to see so many people supporting the work of the Federation.  Thanks to all those who have been involved over the years, here’s to the next 25!”

Thursday was the final day of ETF’s Parliamentary Exhibition and Housing Minister Margaret Burgess (above) was among the MSPs and staff to view photos and news stories dating back to the 1980’s and the Federation’s formation in October 1990.