Building contractor Stewart & Shields have been announced as the main sponsor of this year's Scottish Rural and Islands Housing Conference.

Derek McIlvreavy, Design and Development Manager at Stewart & Shields said: "Once again, we are heading towards the RIHAF conference, and I am very much looking forward to meeting the attendees and having a robust chat about how we can leave a legacy of very highly energy efficient homes for our residents and families to enjoy without the burden of how to stay warm. 

"In my workshop this year, I plan to not only talk about energy efficient construction in building Passivhaus homes, benefitting the least well off in our care but, also, how well-planned community benefits, such as employment and training, leave a lasting legacy and how working with an RSL, like Loreburn, our host, we are moving into the area, putting down roots, recruiting apprentices, mature apprentices, and professionals from the area to allow them and us to become a permanent feature. 

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"It is how we can repeat this in construction that will enable homes and employment to go hand in hand, and we make real homes with real lives that last."

The conference, which takes place on 31 October and 01 November, will be held over two venues, with the meeting and dinner at Easterbrook Hall, and accommodation at the Holiday Inn Dumfries, which is adjacent to the conference venue.  

The pre-conference RIHAF meeting will take place on Wednesday 30 October, and instead of a study tour, Loreburn Housing Association will be hosting a discussion event on its work on housing, fuel poverty and an ageing population.  

The conference will be of interest to anyone with an interest in rural housing issues, including staff and committee members from housing providers.