Welcome to Our Special Q&A with Kevin Hutchens: Celebrating Scottish Housing Day 2024!

At Langstane Housing Association, we believe in the power of community, connection and open conversation. This Scottish Housing Day, we are thrilled to present a heartfelt Q&A session with one of our longest-standing tenants, Kevin Hutchens. For over 30 years, Kevin has been a vital part of our community and his experiences shed light on the impact of safe and secure housing, on personal well-being and community spirit.

When did you move into your home?

In December 1993 just a few weeks before Christmas. Not an easy time to move as I had to rush around finding contractors willing to fit carpets, move furniture, fit phones etc.  But it happened and it was a great Christmas present, a true gift from God, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Why did you want to live in Stonehaven?

Mainly to get a secure tenancy now a Scottish Secure Tenancy and a lower rent. Since moving away from the family home in 1976 I have lived in university accommodation for a time but mainly the private rented sector, the longest stay being possibly two years living in one place and having that choice is a massive change and I saw it as so at the time. So, a new opportunity to stay fixed was crucial. Of course, I saw it as a move to a very beautiful town closer to my job at the time. 

What changes have you noticed or experienced in the past 30 years in both your neighborhood and Stonehaven?

A growing town, a folk festival that brought Billy Connolly to the town, a local radio station, a new church, once City church, now Catalyst Vineyard church south, the development of a community hospital, increase in tourism and the Aberdeen western peripheral route. 

But very importantly people who have come and gone - so many things to list!  Lots of positives and the Commonwealth flame, the Olympic flame, the new sea cadet building.

I also cannot ignore the negatives, the Commodore hotel closing, the Stonehaven rail tragedy, the Covid years and loss of good friends.   

Kevin HutchensLangstane Housing Association tenant, Kevin Hutchens - Pictured at Stonehavens picturesque harbour 

What are your favourite things about living in your neighbourhood or Stonehaven as a whole?

Stonehaven is such a friendly place. I can go for a walk and particularly now after 30 years I find strangers talking to me and I enjoy talking to the local people and many visitors.

I love hearing their stories and I love hearing the sound of song birds in the morning, their song of the Bervie Brae, the beauty of the bay, the freshness of the sea air, the lovely walk to Dunnottar castle, the easy access to the many shops, the easy access to east coast train line to the main bus route to Aberdeen and Dundee.

It has some excellent churches as well, prior to becoming part of City church Stonehaven (now Catalyst Vineyard south).  I worshipped and shared fellowship and friendship in most of them and always found a friendly and supportive people. Now I am part of Catalyst Vineyard church (over ten years). I particularly enjoy its worship fellowship practice of prayer and healing and support most recently through a period of my mother's recent passing. 

What really strengthens me is the large number of people from all over the world who come to Stonehaven and they all say what a beautiful place it is - and I agree with them.   

You have been an involved tenant with Langstane for many years - please tell us about your experiences.

I have in many ways been involved from day one because I became a member for only £1.

I attended the AGM (Annual General Meeting) and raised questions about the rent and came to be known as an active tenant.  So much so that the then Chief Executive,  Mike Fitzpatrick, wrote to me invited me to dinner to see if I would be willing to be on the Board of Management. I come to one meeting to try it out and I stayed for 24 years.

During that time, I was Chairperson of Tenant Services Subcommittee later renamed Operational Services and chair of Audit Subcommittee.  In being a responsible trustee and company director, I listened to all points of view and took my responsibilities seriously. 

After 24 years I came off the board as I felt I had done enough and needed a break however, I felt I still had much to contribute as a tenant and got involved in tenant participation.  

What advice do you have for other tenants who are interested in getting involved in tenant participation?

Consider it carefully.

  • Think what you might get out of it (experience for a CV perhaps, new opportunities for meeting people, a chance to have your views heard).
  • Look at the time commitment carefully and how you fit it into your own schedule.

Give it a try! If you are genuinely interested, just give it a try and help to make a difference. 

Highlights

  • Raising issues about rent increases at AGM’s 
  • The bus tour of schemes
  • Being part of the board when we met the regulators concerns
  • The tenants conferences that used to take place
  • Exploring new ways forward as a tenant
  • Supporting local people through Catalyst Vineyard church

Low points

  • Engagement with the Scottish Housing Regulator  
  • Being bullied in Covid lockdown partly and largely because I was a board member
  • Langstane Housing Association having to postpone their development programme