Blackwood Housing and Care is celebrating after being recognised at the highest possible level with a nomination for a prestigious award.

For the first time, the Edinburgh-headquartered housing and care provider has been shortlisted as a finalist for the coveted title of Small Housing Association of the Year at the 2016 Scottish Home Awards.

The nomination recognises Blackwood’s achievements over the past 12 months in enabling independent living through the use of innovative technology. In addition, it also acknowledges the care provider’s business growth and development of customer and community engagement through scrutiny panels, local partnerships, awards and fundraising.

Fanchea Kelly, chief executive at Blackwood, said: “It is wonderful for Blackwood to be shortlisted for this award, as all the staff have worked very hard towards meeting our outcomes over the past year.

“Our recent business growth and the roll out of our innovative technology to customers are just a few examples of our recent achievements and we are delighted to see our efforts and hard work recognised in this way.

“This is set to be a huge year for Blackwood as we are launching our highly accessible concept house in Dundee and growing our Clever Cogs technology across Scotland, so to kick it all off by being shortlisted for such a prestigious award is very exciting indeed.”

Since it was launched 40 years ago, Blackwood has built an impressive reputation for its expertise in adapting properties to enable people with disabilities, sensory impairments and age-related conditions live as independently as possible.

In the past year, the housing and care provider has also launched a division dedicated to pioneering technology to identify, support and help develop the latest design and tech to benefit its customers.

The winner will be announced in six weeks at the award ceremony, held at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on Thursday 16 June.