Organisation that helps people live life to the full turns 50
A pioneering organisation that offers independent living for older and disabled people in Renfrewshire is set to mark its 50th anniversary.
Blackwood has been providing specialist homes and services aimed at maximising independent living options for vulnerable people since 1972.
It operates the Fulbar Street development in Renfrew, which houses ten flats - five of which are designed specifically for wheelchair users - alongside the High Mair housing site in the town.
Blackwood is also behind specially-adapted developments Albion Street and Castle Street in Paisley.
They are amongst developments in 28 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas run by the organisation to allow disabled and older people to live longer, independent lives with homes and services aimed at boosting independent living.
The organisation, founded by Dr Margaret Blackwood MBE, is set to host a calendar of activities, events and projects for staff, customers, stakeholders and the wider community to mark the milestone anniversary.
Julie McDowell, Blackwood’s board chair, said: “As an organisation our purpose is to help people live independently and we invest in innovation to make sure we can help people to benefit from new technology developments so that they can have choice and control over how they live.
“To celebrate our remarkable half century, we’ll be looking back to see how far our service has actually transformed – which is going to be exciting - as well as providing a blueprint for Scotland for the next fifty years so that our population can live longer and more independently.”
She added: “We’ll also be paying tribute throughout the year to Dr Margaret Blackwood who played a significant role in revolutionising independent living for disabled people.
“It will be great to engage with customers, staff, stakeholders and communities while we celebrate this milestone.”
Activities throughout the anniversary year are set to include community events, bucket list challenges and podcasts.
The events are set to restore the Blackwood community after the pandemic limited social interaction over the past two years.
Celebrations began recently with World Physical Activity Day and the ‘Let’s Move Together’ event to encourage customers and staff to move more and increase physical activity.
The event was made up of online and in person activity sessions, including tai chi, virtual flash mob dancing and ping pong.
Chief executive Fanchea Kelly is looking forward to bringing the Blackwood community back together, she said: “This is an incredibly big milestone year for Blackwood and one we are looking forward to celebrating with our entire community.
“Throughout the year we will be hosting a variety of activities and events – there will also be lots of projects to celebrate our history and how we contribute to shaping independent living in the future.”
Ms Kelly added: “There is a lot of exciting work underway at Blackwood which will come to fruition this year.
“That means we will be able to increase our capacity to meet the growing needs of local people in the communities where we operate.
“With that said, our first priority will always be our existing residents and the quality of the services they receive.
“The housing and care sector has gone through a tremendous change since we started, especially with advances in digital technology.
“We want to ensure Blackwood is at the forefront of what the next 50 years will bring.”
The charity say their vision has remained consistent with what founder Dr Margaret Blackwood set out years ago, with her mission statement of: “helping people live their life to the full”.
Dr Blackwood was a campaigner for the rights and independence of disabled people while raising awareness about a lack of suitably adapted homes.
Blackwood continues to invest in innovation to develop a modern standard for accessible homes, combining technology, modern construction, and engagement with people who live with a disability to design and produce beautiful, easy to use homes.
Technology modernisation has seen the installation of a digital care system, CleverCogs alongside the launch of the bespoke Blackwood House - a cutting-edge design combining technology and modern construction to met changing needs.