Five years ago, a landmark partnership was formed as Lintel Trust officially joined the Scottish Procurement Alliance and the wider LHC Procurement Group. While the collaboration began in 2017, this anniversary celebrates half a decade of a fully integrated strategic partnership, reshaping how SPA invests in Scottish communities and delivers lasting social value.
As a registered Scottish charity nearing 50 years of experience, Lintel Trust is guided by a diverse and multidisciplinary Board of Trustees forming as a collective and powerful voice for creating thriving housing communities. They collaborate with residents and housing providers to drive local development through targeted funding, leveraging expert fund management and strategic support to bring community projects to life.
To maximise social value delivered through procurement, SPA began working with Lintel Trust in 2017 to manage and lead the SPA Community Benefit Fund that has improved the lives of almost 40,000 people across Scotland. Since becoming an official partner in 2021, Lintel Trust have become an extension of the SPA team equipping us to scale our social value strategy across the country.
Half a Decade of Community Impact
Lintel Trust translate their years of expertise into tangible community impact for residents and public sector partners, offering guidance on how community benefits can be identified and maximised through project delivery. This Social Value Advisory service forms part of SPA’s Added Value Services that are offered to all partners at no additional cost.
Lintel Trust guide our partners by supporting them develop proposals for community benefits attributed to their procurement plans informed from their expertise and research. They can locate match funding opportunities and support partners with measuring and reporting social value generated through procurement activities.
• CBF Grants Awarded: £1.2+ Million
• Projects Supported: 129
• Residents Benefitted: 39,500+
• Small Grants Awards: £77,394
• Small Grants projects: 59
Beyond advisory support, Lintel Trust manages the SPA Community Benefit Fund. Over the last decade, this fund has reinvested surplus generated from framework usage back into local areas, surpassing £1.2 million to date. Providing direct grants to SPA partners to encourage community development and revitalise local areas ensuring that funds are used to create stronger and more sustainable communities.
To date, the SPA Community Benefit Fund has supported 129 initiatives spanning from social isolation to employability support. Going forward, the CBF will accelerate inclusive ownership within communities by tying the awards directly to local initiatives, delivering even greater results for their local communities.
The partnership with Lintel Trust also supports our Social Value Strategy alignment in all three areas of impact. From identifying local team volunteering opportunities to creating meaningful opportunities for residents derived from procurement activity, they empower the SPA team to truly live our values.
Lintel Trust’s Small Grants Fund
Lintel Trust fuel grassroots community projects with their Small Grants Fund. By awarding up to £1,000 per project every quarter, they aim to fund at least 30% of an initiative's total costs. This targeted investment aims to remove barriers for any resident striving for a stable, connected life, from inspiring digital inclusion to essential support for those transitioning from homelessness into permanent, stable homes.
West Dunbartonshire Energy Advice Service – First Steps
Through the West Dunbartonshire Energy Advice Service, Community Links Scotland identified a critical barrier to housing stability following homelessness. While tenants were secured in new homes, many lacked the essentials to live with dignity. Supported by a £1,000 Small Grant in early 2025, the project provided tailored starter packs to 68 households. This intervention has proven vital in reducing social isolation and ensuring that those transitioning from homelessness have the physical resources necessary to maintain a long-term, sustainable tenancy.
Reduce, ReUse and Raise Funds
The 'Reduce, Reuse, and Raise Funds' initiative forms a powerful example of how environmental sustainability and social mobility go hand in hand. Launched in partnership with Clyde Recycling, it has continued to grow momentum since its initial Glasgow pilot, with 12 textile banks making recycling more accessible and rewarding for many housing associations across Scotland.
Beyond diverting waste from landfill, the participating areas benefit from upcycling workshops from Govanhill Rags to Riches, providing residents with the skills, materials and confidence to turn textile waste into valuable products.
For each tonne recycled, Clyde Recycling awards £200 to be reinvested into the community it is generated, turning local environmental efforts into a powerful driver for community development. To date, over 34 tonnes of textiles have been diverted, raising enough funds to provide seven community grants to housing associations for vital local projects.
Looking Ahead
The partnership between Lintel Trust and SPA has become a driving force influencing community progress at all levels across Scotland. Their continued partnership with SPA ensures that their local connections and social value knowledge transpires across Scottish housing sector.
As we strengthen these connections, we are reminded that our work is fundamentally fuelled by the people we serve. Every pound reinvested into Scottish communities ensures that tackling social isolation, enhancing wellbeing, and supporting employment remain at the heart of our collective mission to improve lives and places across Scotland.
