Speaking at its 48th AGM, chair of Bield Susan Napier said it was right that Bield continued to be an organisation that was not afraid of change.

She said: “Bield constantly demonstrated this throughout 2018-19 and these attributes will characterise the coming years as we seek to go on improving the lives of Scotland’s older people.”

Susan said the transformational changes made by the Edinburgh-based charity continue to benefit thousands of older people across its developments and services in Scotland.

She added: “Since last year’s AGM we have undertaken a magnitude of work which has resulted in many positive changes. There is no doubt that the external environment in which we operate has a significant impact on how we deliver services both now and in the future. Despite this, we will continue to seek out new partnerships and ways of working, which I am confident will help us grow and develop.”

Ms Napier also said: “This year saw the change of our Housing with Care model to the Retirement Plus model which is now operating in Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh. The change meant we are now able to offer a much wider range of services to our customers allowing them to live fulfilling and independent lives for as long as possible. Additionally, we have seen the change from our very sheltered housing services to our new retirement housing with meals has been implemented. This service has proved to be a more financially viable and sustainable model, which does not rely on local authority income.”

She added: “We made it a priority this year to visit some of our developments to speak to staff, tenants and service users to see first-hand the difference we make to older people. This has really brought the aims and objectives of Bield to life.”

Later this year, Bield is also to welcome a new chief executive, Dr Lynne Douglas, who previously worked with NHS Lothian specialising in the delivery of service transformation. Lynne will bring a diverse portfolio of services which will further develop and provide strategic leadership at a time of change.

Susan said: “We still remain one of the largest specialist providers of housing and care services for older people in Scotland and I am confident we will continue to develop and grow for many years ahead.”