Local community event marks Blackwood’s independent living model
INDEPENDENT living specialist Blackwood is set to officially launch its pioneering concept to transform future homes and neighbourhoods in Dundee this weekend.
The Blackwood Peoplehood Project will develop a model for independent living in three distinct Scottish neighbourhoods including Charleston in the city, allowing people to live healthier and happier for longer.
To mark the official launch, Blackwood is hosting a summer event on 23rd July between 11am – 5pm at Alec Craigie Green. There will be a selection of activities, live music & entertainment and food stalls.
On top of this, there will also be stalls explaining what Peoplehood is and how it will shape the future of independent living in the area. It is also hoped that the day will encourage more locals to sign up as Peoplehood members to shape the vision of the £12.5 million project.
Fanchea Kelly, Chief Executive of Blackwood Housing and Care, said: “Peoplehood will create a blueprint for healthier, happier neighbourhoods that can be rolled out across Scotland and beyond.
“We look forward to engaging with people in the neighbourhood at the summer event to give them a chance to learn about Peoplehood and learn from them what will help make healthier happier neighbourhoods of the future and hopefully from this we’ll see many sign up to support the project.
“There are already over 200 Peoplehood members across the three neighbourhoods [Glasgow, Buckie and Dundee] helping us co-design products and services to help people age well and we are looking for another 800 to join us and create brilliant places together.
“Some of the initiative being rolled out in Dundee include free tablets and connectivity for members to help them get digital, while also delivering e-bikes, electric cars and a host of equipment and activities, all co-designed with people in the neighbourhood. We have been delighted by the support that the local council has given to the project recognising the benefits it could bring to Charleston and other neighbourhoods in the city.”
One of the Peoplehood activities at the event will be the chance to try your hand at a 3 hole demonstrator ‘golf course’ with the winner receiving the ‘Charleston Open’ trophy!
The co-design element of Peoplehood is crucial to deliver results that will actually benefit people in neighbourhoods focusing on creating age-friendly homes and places, supported by cutting-edge technologies, making independent living achievable and sustainable as people grow older, with safe outdoor spaces to sustain physical activity.
The nine partner organisations working with Blackwood on Peoplehood are: University of Edinburgh; Canon Medical Research Europe; Carebuilder UK; CENSIS; Cisco International Ltd; Enterprise Rent-a-Car UK; Lewis & Hickey Architects; Mydex CIC and The DataLab.
Blackwood pioneers technology innovation in the social housing sector. It operates more than 1500 properties across 29 local authorities. The charity has already built two developments of tech-smart ‘Blackwood Homes’ in Glasgow and Dundee which use a “CleverCogs” digital system to make life easier for older people and people with disabilities.
People looking to join can find more information at www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk/peoplehood or by messaging: getinvolved@blackwoodgroup.org.uk
