Diggers at the ready as work begins on Dundee home site

CONSTRUCTION work has started at a major housing project in Dundee which is set to bring 66 specialist homes to the area.

Senior figures from Blackwood including chair Julie McDowell met with John Alexander, SNP leader of Dundee City Council, Dougie Herd, joint managing director of Campion Homes and other key stakeholders at one of seven sites in Charleston, Dundee.

The visit included a tour of the site, an insight into the technology included in the home through a tutorial in the ‘box house’ – a pop up show home encompassing a range of adaptable features such as rise and fall surfaces – as well as the chance to visit the proposed golf course. Each home will be adaptable and include a range of benefits such as lift access, remotely controlled automated functions, and digital care and housing systems – all aimed at helping people to live as independently as possible.

Simon Fitzpatrick, development and commercial director at Blackwood, said: “These homes will be totally transformational for those who will move into them.

“For perspective, the number of homes is almost half of Dundee City Council’s total waiting list for adapted accommodation.

“The new development will further our ambitions to create a blueprint for independent living and influence how the sector will operate in the future.”

In what will be Blackwood’s biggest build project to date, the homes will help people to live healthier and happier for longer and are based on the award-winning Blackwood House model, which was developed in partnership with architects Lewis and Hickey.

Last year Blackwood appointed Fifebased Campion Homes to lead on the £17.5m housing project, with work expected to last 18 months.

When construction is complete, the allocation of the properties will be divided between people identified as priorities by Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, Dundee City Council and Blackwood.

Simon added: “There is an abundance of people that would seriously benefit from more widely available adaptable and specialist housing options, so it is really exciting to see work begin on the seven sites.

“We’re focused on improving access to accessible and adaptable homes around Scotland making this new milestone a very proud moment for everyone at Blackwood.”

It’s the latest milestone in a string of people-led initiatives by Blackwood including the Peoplehood project which has seen huge investment into Charleston already, with the area being one of three Scottish neighbourhoods chosen to benefit from the trial model for independent living.

Maria Mallaband Care Group has appointed a new dementia development lead to drive forward its commitment to delivering the best possible care for people living with dementia, and the best training and support for its teams. Laura Steward has devoted her entire career, spanning more than 25 years, to social care, specialising in dementia education from 2012. The appointment saw her take the reins of the operator’s dementia strategy – a multi-pronged approach which includes upskilling staff and sharing best practice with the aim being to enable those living with dementia live as well and as independently as possible. Last year, as part of this strategy, MMCG established the role of dementia ambassadors. These trained specialists work in homes and take the lead in educating colleagues, sharing knowledge, skills, and evidence-based strategies and tools.

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