Residents in parts of East Ayrshire have been presented with air fryers and slow cookers to help reduce their energy consumption.
Tenants at Highcrofts in Dalmellington, Tweedlie Court, Cumnock and Valley Court, Patna received the new appliances from Scottish housing provider Bield.
It’s part of a rollout from the housing provider, backed by £33,000.
The money comes from the social housing fuel support fund – round two; funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).
The rollout is part of an ongoing drive to integrate energy efficient and sustainable measures across Bield’s operations and more than 5,000 properties.
Developments in Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Dundee, East and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire and the Scottish Borders are also participating in the initiative, which was led by Ken Greenshields, customer engagement coordinator at Bield.
As part of the scheme, Bield also created a recipe book with six different meal suggestions that can be made in an air fryer/slow cooker.
The book was designed to help inspire tenants to make healthy food choices with their new equipment.
Tracey Howatt, director of customer experience at Bield, said: “It’s very important to us that we make decisions which positively impact the environment whilst simultaneously putting the needs of our tenants at the heart of our operations.
“The rollout of these cooking appliances is just one of the proactive ways we are looking to raise awareness of energy and sustainability issues.
“We’re delighted to have been able to run this initiative and it’s only been possible thanks to the involvement and funding award from SFHA and a lot of hard work from Ken.
“We will continue to support our tenants in any way we can as we face soaring energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis.”
Bield worked with electrical retailer AO to help deliver the air fryers and slow cookers to its tenants.
Anthony Sant, managing director at AO Business, said: “We are so pleased to have worked with Bield on this project and are excited to see the results.
"We all know that many essential appliances simply can’t be switched off at the plug to save energy, in the same way that we might do with game consoles or TVs when not in use.
“These slow cookers and air fryers will allow the recipients to make delicious, healthy meals at home, using less energy, and we’re thrilled to have been asked to play a part in making it happen.”
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