What our employees say

Yvonne Reilly - Housing Services Officer

A former West Dunbartonshire Council employee in the housing department, Yvonne Reilly made the switch to Cordale Housing Association in 2004 and has never looked back.  She found her new working environment a real change and loves the variety of work she is involved in.

She said: “My job varies on a daily basis, I deal with rent management, allocations, repairs and resident participation but no two days are the same.  I really love working with people, I’m a real ‘people person’ and working with the tenants is amazing”.

“I get to go and see people to allocate the house and then go and visit them when they first move in and then follow-up to see how they are getting on. Before when I was working with the Council I used to allocate houses but I never got to see the two together – the person in their new home. Now I follow the process through from start to finish and it is really rewarding.

“I love my job so much, I couldn’t ask for better bosses – the appreciation we get from Stephen and Louise is fantastic and you are left to get on and do your own work.  We have such a small staff team we all muck in and do everything together and it really works.”

As well as working together Cordale’s staff team are currently supporting each other on a ‘get fit’ drive and are aiming for a Healthy Working Lives accreditation. The staff team has set up their own walking group and enjoy healthy breakfasts.

Living in Dumbarton Yvonne knows the differences that have been made in Renton over the years and is keen to see the Association get involved in other areas.

She added: “We have been involved in Brucehill and Central Alexandria where we are carrying out Feasibility Studies. With these and possible stock transfer we are moving into new areas and can make a difference in these areas as well. I want to be here forever and grow with the Association.”

Stephen Gibson, Director of Cordale Housing Association, praised Yvonne’s dedication to the Association. He said: “Yvonne cares about her job and she loves working with our tenants. She has seen the benefits of moving from the Council to us and we have benefited greatly as she is a real asset to the Cordale team.”

Geraldine McKenzie - Receptionist

After three years bringing up her young son and doing part-time jobs she was ready to take the first step onto a career ladder and believes she couldn’t have found a more supportive employer.

She said: “My wee boy is in nursery now and I saw the job advertised and went for it, got it and it is the best thing that has happened to me.

“From the start I have been involved with all kinds of things that are happening. At my appraisal I was asked where I saw myself going in the future and what areas of work I was interested. I said I was really interested in the building projects and since then I have been down to site visits at Dalquhurn and helped choose the names for the streets and the house types.

“In June 2010 I was put through a Project Management course and gained an introductory certificate in Project Management. I am also co-ordinating the Healthy Working Lives consultation and was involved with the Investor in People Gold accreditation – and I’m only a receptionist!  I feel I have been given the biggest career opportunity and feel very lucky to be working here and can’t imagine working anywhere else.”

Geraldine said her friends are starting to get a bit fed up with her talking about her job but she can’t hide her enthusiasm for it.

She added: “Since I started working here there hasn’t been a day when I have woken up and thought, ‘oh no I have to go into work today,’ I just love working here.  We have a really good staff team and Stephen and Louise have such an upbeat and motivational way about them, they share information with you and involve everyone”.

“I am originally from Renton and my family still live here and I remember how the houses used to be with all the graffiti on them and crime here was really bad, so I can see the difference Cordale has made and if that can be filtered into other areas it would amazing and to be part of that is a fantastic opportunity for me.”

And Cordale Director Stephen Gibson has nothing but praise for the Association’s new receptionist. He said: “Competition for the job was extremely fierce we interviewed five excellent candidates and it was one of the toughest decisions I have made in my 12 years with Cordale but definitely one of my best choices.

“Geraldine is totally dedicated to her work and epitomizes our Just Say Yes ethos. She is keen to learn and as an employer we are more than happy to support her because we recognise she is a real asset to the organisation.”