Bosses of an ambitious housing and care provider have toured the country to roll out its new £17 million business strategy to 400 staff across Scotland.

Blackwood is already one of the best-known names in adapting homes and properties to let people with disabilities, sensory impairments or age related conditions live as independently as possible.

Now it has redefined its five year business objectives to accelerate its pioneering work integrating technology into housing and care to meet the mounting challenges facing the sectors.

Chief executive Fanchea Kelly and head of business services Wendy Russell participated in a country-wide ‘roadshow’ visiting all of Blackwood’s regional offices.

Fanchea said: “People are at the heart of what we do, and it’s only with the dedication of our own people that we can deliver value and quality to our customers – so it was vital that we met with every one of our staff everywhere in the country.

“Our new strategy is forward-thinking, innovative and exciting in terms of the technology we are working on. We genuinely have the potential to help Scotland meet some of its most difficult challenges in care and housing.

“We know the dedication and passion of our staff who have chosen to deliver housing, care and support services because they believe it is important and find it hugely fulfilling. That’s why it is so crucial they know everything about what we are doing next.”

Blackwood works in 29 of Scotland’s 32 council areas – more than any other care or housing provider in the country.

It is renowned for putting technology at the heart of its work and it is currently completing design and delivery of a new concept house to reshape the gold standard in accessible homes. Alongside that, it is developing pioneering software to help give people with disabilities or impairments greater freedom, control and independence.

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

Another crucial element in delivering change will see the charity expanding its services and footprint in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow as key cities to boost its five-star rated care services.

Established by Dr Margaret Blackwood in 1972, Blackwood now has 400 staff and manages 1600 properties across Scotland.

Stops on the Blackwood Roadshow tour included:

@blackwoodhomes