Bield takes steps to better access
Investment boost for Bield retirement housing
A £200,000 investment will see a Berwickshire retirement housing development boost the independence of tenants and improve accessibility.
Bield’s ‘Step Free’ project will see four state-of-the-art internal platform lifts installed at Turnbull Court, in Duns, and an enclosed external vertical platform lift.
Councillor John Greenwell of the Scottish Borders Council said:
“In my capacity as the Equalities and Diversity Champion at Scottish Borders Council, I am pleased to see the positive steps Bield is taking at Turnbull Court – installing a number of measures to improve accessibility for tenants to all parts of the complex.
“I look forward to seeing the work commence in March and, of course, the finished project.”
The Step Free project seeks to further maximise the freedom of all Bield’s tenants, in line with its ‘Free to Be’ ethos, as it makes improvements to provide the highest quality of housing for older people in Scotland.
Significant levels of investments are planned over the next 13 years as part of Bield’s Asset Management Strategy, which looks to make the most of the resources at their disposal to provide tenants and residents with the highest quality housing possible.
Susan Napier, Bield’s Chair, said:
“We are delighted to be making such a valuable addition to Turnbull Court.
“While all the communal areas of the development have always been accessible from the ground floor, it is great to ensure an extra level of flexibility for our current and future tenants.
“There are a number of Bield developments that were built in the 1970s, and one of the key objectives of our Asset Management Strategy is to have a bespoke approach for each, to improve access and demand.”
First built in 1975 with 36 retirement flats, Turnbull Court includes communal facilities such as a residents lounge, communal heating system and laundry.