A woman who has spent her life in far-flung places has celebrated her 100^th birthday at a Dundee retirement housing development.

Emily Lyall, who was born in Soho and grew up in Kent, made India, Egypt and Singapore her home before returning to the UK.

Celebrating with family and friends at Bield’s Strathmartine Court, Emily revealed that her secret to long life was to enjoy life’s little things in moderation.

Emily’s daughter-in-law Mabel said: “Emily has spent a lot of time abroad but has always felt the call of home!”

Emily’s globe-trotting life was with her husband John, of the Royal Army Pay Corps, with whom she had four children, nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and, now, two great-great-grandchildren.

Mabel added: “It is a fantastic achievement and we are all so proud of her, right down to the two wee ones.”

Colin Milne, Manager at Strathmartine Court, said: “Everyone at the development loves Emily and we’d like to say a big congratulations!

“We are all thrilled we were able to be a part of this significant occasion in Emily’s life.”

Emily’s typifies Bield’s ‘Free to Be’ ethos, which aims to enable people to make their own choices and live as independently as possible.

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 Wednesday, 26 April. For more information visit www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk.

In his Spring Budget, the Chancellor pledged an additional £2billion of funding for the social care sector over the next three years. By the Chancellor’s own admission, this funding was to act as a “bridge” before the Better Care Fund came online in 2018. Hft has long argued that the Better Care Fund, which is designed to cover both the Health and Social Care sector, is simply not enough to plug the funding gaps in both sectors. Similarly, this cash injection of £2billion over three years will be a drop in the ocean compared to the estimated £4.5billion the Health Select Committee recently claimed was needed.

Many private enterprises both inside and outside the social care sector will welcome the Chancellor’s announcement that Corporation Tax will fall to 17% by 2020, however for organisations such as Hft this will not offer any relief from our ongoing financial pressures. Unlike our for-profit counterparts, Hft is a charity, and is therefore exempt from paying Corporation Tax. Instead we invest any financial surpluses back in to our services and other charitable projects.

The announcement of a Green Paper set to comprehensively review social care funding is to be welcomed. However, Hft is concerned that a lengthy consultation will simply delay essential funding reform that the sector urgently needs. Ahead of the budget, Hft warned that, according to our research, three quarters of the learning disability sector will be running at a deficit by the end of this government. 55% of those surveyed claimed that they would be running at a deficit “within the next two years”. Our concern is that, for the majority of those in the learning disabilities sector, the conclusions of the planned Green Paper will simply come too late.

Outside of social care funding, Hft also noted that, for all his talk of creating an “inclusive economy”, there was no mention of the Government’s recent Improving Lives green paper, or indeed any mentions of ways in which people with learning disabilities will be included in this “inclusive growth”, or how the government plans to assist people into meaningful supported employment opportunities.

Mr. Hammond’s announcements come against the backdrop of revelations from BBC Surrey, which last night broadcast leaked tapes of the leader of Surrey County Council describing a “gentleman’s agreement” between Surrey County Council and the Government. The funding of vital social care services should be above politics. Hft therefore welcomes Jeremy Corbyn’s call for the Prime Minister to “place in the Library of the House a record of all one-to-one meetings between the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Chancellor and any council leader or chair of social services anywhere in England.”

Whilst Hft will of course respond to the Green Paper consultation, and continue to enter into meaningful conversations with ministries and local authorities, this Spring Budget offers too little too late for a sector that even CQC recognises is now at a “financial tipping point.”

Robert Longley-Cook

Chief Executive, Hft

www.hft.org.uk

Following today’s Spring Budget [8 March], national disability charity, Sense, has responded to the news that the Government plans to ease the current financial pressures facing social care by delivering £2billion over the next three years, alongside a new green paper focusing on the future of the sector.

The national disability charity, which supports people who are deafblind, have sensory impairments or complex needs, has been calling for urgent investment into the collapsing social care market, alongside a considered plan for its sustainability.

Richard Kramer, Deputy CEO of disability charity Sense, said:        

“There will be a sigh of relief amongst the social care sector, as the Government finally responds to its cries for help with a promise to invest the funds it desperately needs right now. The Government’s plans will abate the pressing financial woes currently threatening to overwhelm the system and will offer short-term stabilisation. However, the reality is that money alone is not enough to save social care from collapse and the future of these essential services hinges on the development of a long-term strategy.

“We hope that today’s announcement signifies the start of genuine reform, and that the upcoming green paper highlights the Government’s long-term commitment to protect and improving social care services, rather than delivering stop-gap solutions to keep it afloat.

“Although the chancellor’s speech focused entirely on older people, he should not forget that many disabled people also rely on social care services to enable them to live independently, with dignity and as active members of their communities, which is why the protection of these vital services is so important.

We look forward to working with the Government on the upcoming green paper to ensure it focuses on a long-term strategy that guarantees a sustainable system that can provide quality support for all those who need it.”

Sense is a national charity that supports people who are deafblind, have sensory impairments or complex needs, to enjoy more independent lives. More information on sense can be found at, www.sense.org.uk.

Blackwood’s Abbey Court development, which provides housing and support for people with physical disabilities, will host a focus group with inventor Alex Papanikolaou, in which tenants will have the opportunity to test his unique Freedom One Life® power wheelchair.

Award winning Scottish entrepreneur Alex, from Perth, has Cerebral Palsy and for the past year has been using one of the latest prototypes of his chair, covering over 2,000 kilometres to date.

Freedom One Life® has a seven day lithium battery life and a 10 year cycle life, compared with only the one day lead battery life and one year cycle life typical of most power chairs. It also has a sleek and smart design to counter the standard clinical look of many personal mobility vehicles.

Alex spoke of how his product was born out of the challenges and frustrations that he has encountered with other power chairs throughout his life.

He said: “I’ve used power chairs since I was at school, so have first-hand experience of the limitations that are imposed upon those with disabilities by chairs that are outdated and expensive.

“One major issue for many wheelchair users is travelling. Many people have horror stories about being stranded and some never go on holiday at all in case their chair breaks.

“It was this overwhelming evidence that the current chairs are not fit for purpose that pushed me to want to do it better.

“I recognise Blackwood as a leader and champion for independent living and technology that adds freedom to the lives of people with disabilities, so I’m very excited to have the tenants experience my chair design and to get their essential feedback.”

Paul Richoux, Social Media Co-ordinator at Blackwood, said:

“The tenants are all very keen to try out the Freedom One Life power chair.

“We’re always on the lookout for innovative products which would help people to live more independently and many of our tenants could hugely benefit from Alex’s design, so we’re delighted he has chosen to work with us and eager to see the outcome of the trials.”

More information on the Freedom One Life® power wheelchair can be found at the following link: http://freedomonelife.com/

Be Safe Key Safes, which is located in Leeds, provides a service to vulnerable members of society by simply fitting a lockable key safe on the exterior of homes to ensure access to the front door key so routine and emergency care can be administered without restrictions.

Recommended through a network of social workers, occupational therapists, carers and police the company allows a means of access to homes for a range of care providers safety and efficiently. Paul Wilton, owner of the company, commented: “My background is in the police force and I’ve also worked in care and security so I have a strong understanding of the needs of those who I come into contact with each day.

“Through recommendations I visit homes to fit key safes to those who are now unable to take care of themselves for one reason or another and I mainly work with elderly or immobile people to ensure their home is not only safe but can be easily accessed when required.”

The company mainly supplies The Key Safe Company’s leading Supra C500 key safe model which is recommended by the police for use on external walls and has passed vigorous attack tests standards, Paul says: “Each time I visit someone’s home I talk to them through their options and safety is always their number one priority. That’s why I have no worries about recommending the Supra C500 as it is extremely durable and can make a real difference to their quality of life.”

With the ageing population and the cost of care increasing, simple measures can be taken to ensure homes are both secure and fit-for-care. Paul explains: “The majority of people I work with don’t tend to get a key safe fitted until they really need one for access or if they themselves struggle to get to the door. However I believe it is never too early to think about getting one fitted as it can mean the difference to staying in your own home when the time comes.

“Over the past three years I have started to see a growth in the number of C500 key safes I fit on a weekly basis and I anticipate this number will only increase. It’s a sign of how care provisions are changing and you don’t realise how vital this piece of kit can be to someone.”

Trusted by thousands of UK householders, The Key Safe Company’s leading product the Supra C500 key safe is used by the majority of local authorities, is accredited by ‘Secured by Design’ and is the only key safe tested to the same security attack standards as a domestic front door.

Paul concludes by explaining why he feels confident to recommend the Supra C500 to his clients: “The company has a real integrity to what it does, it has supported me very closely over the past few years and the product speaks for itself. It’s tested to an extremely high standard and it’s the top of the market in my opinion.

“I work closely with people who can be deemed as vulnerable and knowing I’m fitting a key safe that is police recommended gives both myself and them peace of mind.”

For more information, advice or support on any of the products from The Key Safe Company, please visit: www.keysafe.co.uk or for more information on Be Safe Key Safes visit: www.besafe-keysafe.co.uk

Designed and created by Blackwood, one of Scotland’s leading housing and care providers, the hugely innovative houses will set a new standard of accessibility by combining technology, modern construction and engagement to meet customers’ changing needs.

Since it built its first home in Dundee in 1972, Blackwood has endeavored to be a pioneer in accessible housing. Today, the Blackwood vision is to be able to offer beautiful, accessible and affordable homes.

The development comes as part of Blackwood’s five year Business Plan and is set to be completed by May 2017. Along with its newest office in Tayside, the care provider’s main focus is to grow its Care at Home business using its own branded smart technology to help those with disabilities live their lives to the full.

Fanchea Kelly, Chief Executive at Blackwood, said:

“We always strive to be at the forefront of the latest innovations and technologies, and building these accessible and affordable homes in Dundee will allow us to continue to improve and enhance the lives of those we work with.

“We’re delighted to see the progress that is being made on site. The development is well underway and it’s fantastic to see it already starting to take shape exactly as we had envisioned it.

“People are at the heart of what we do, and it’s only with the dedication of our own team that we can deliver value and quality to our customers – so having the opportunity to create these beautiful homes to further help those living with disabilities is particularly exciting for us.

“We very much pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the housing and care sector, but to remain there it’s vital that we continue to grow and develop in order to listen to the ever evolving needs of our service-users and help shape our future.”

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

For more information about Blackwood, visit www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk.