One of the country’s most innovative care providers is celebrating after being recognised at the highest possible level with a nomination for a prestigious award.

For the first time, Edinburgh-headquartered Blackwood Housing and Care has been shortlisted as a finalist for the coveted UK Housing Awards 2017, in the inaugural Outstanding Approach to Promoting Digital Inclusion category.

The nomination recognises Blackwood’s achievements over the past 12 months in enabling independent living through the use of cutting edge technology.

Training on Blackwood’s integrated digital care system, CleverCogs, has opened up new horizons for some customers that have never been online before and tailored sessions and dedicated support has helped customers overcome their anxieties and fears, enabling them to explore the digital world.

Fanchea Kelly, chief executive at Blackwood, said: “It is wonderful for Blackwood to be shortlisted for this award, especially as this is the inaugural year for this category so this is a huge success for us.

“Our recent business growth and the rollout out of our CleverCogs technology across Scotland are just a few examples of our digital achievements and we are delighted to see our efforts and hard work recognised in this way.

“This is a huge year for us as the construction of our highly accessible Blackwood House development is now well underway in Dundee, so to kick it all off by being shortlisted for such a prestigious award is very exciting indeed.”

Blackwood prides itself on being at the forefront of the housing and care sector, and has 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 ten weeks at the award ceremony, held at the Lancaster London Hotel in London on April 26.