Ambitious care provider unveils dedicated technology and innovation division

Blackwood, a national housing and care provider for people living with disabilities in Scotland, has unveiled a new technology and innovation division as part of its £17m business strategy.

The new five-year business strategy set aside £13.9m for housing investment, £2.3m for staffing needs and also funded an extra £1.2m into its care provision. Blackwood also has plans to ensure affordable rents for all service users while increasing tenant satisfaction in line with the Scottish Social Housing Charter.

Chief executive of Blackwood, Fanchea Kelly, suggested that the explosive growth in new technology, spurred by the rise of smart phones and tablets, could transform the sector beyond all recognition. She said: “We have always been about applying the latest innovations and that is why we are renowned within Scotland when it comes to adapting properties for anyone with special needs.

“However, the pace of change in technology is unprecedented and the potential for improving and enhancing the lives of the people we work with is incredible. We are determined not only to keep up with that, but to be at the very forefront of this area.”

Since its launch over 40 years ago, Blackwood has specialised in property adaptations to support people living with disabilities, sensory impairments and age-related conditions to live as independently as possible.

Traditionally this included fitting homes with simple enhancements such as handrails or wheelchair-friendly doors, to more complex projects including disability hoists, specially adapted wet rooms, ‘rise and fall’ kitchens and even self-opening doors and windows.

Blackwood continues to explore technology and how it can transform people’s lives from ensuring services users are constantly connected with friends, relatives and carers to reminding them when to take medication to connected touch screen devices that influence the ability to open curtains, switch on televisions or order shopping.

At present, Blackwood focuses its efforts on a pioneering ‘Concept Home’ with integrated technology, while continuing to grow its own social media platform ‘Bespoken’.

Head of innovation at Blackwood, Colin Foskett, commented: “This is a really exciting change and will ensure that Blackwood is really driven by innovation. We can be a powerful catalyst for innovation and design in the independent living sector.

“We already engage extremely well with people through ‘bespoken’, our pioneering online community to improve independent living and to influence technology and design.

“By also engaging in research as well as practical projects that support independent living, we hope to make a measurable difference to the lives of those with disabilities.

“We have found that many independent living products are poorly designed. People want equipment and services to fit with their life choices. By growing our tech and innovation division we are making it our aim to become the leader in tech care and providing innovative adaptations.”