Life Begins…
Brian Logan, Chief Executive of Bield Housing Association, considers the future challenges facing the organisation.
It’s said that life begins at 40. For Bield Housing Association, nothing could be more true. Formed in 1971 to provide housing for older people, mainly in the form of sheltered housing, the organisation has grown to a position today where 15,000 people across 22 local authority areas benefit from Bield’s services.
Bield’s 1,200 staff provide a diverse range of housing, care and support services. From general needs housing through to 24/7 specialist dementia care, the Association actively promotes choice and independent living for Scotland’s older population.
In addition to its core products of rented housing, registered care, home and day care services, Bield also operates a community alarm service Bield Response 24, and provides management services to 18 owner occupier developments across Scotland.
However, the diversity of service is characterised by one thing – the Bield hallmark of top quality services which put the needs of its tenants and service users first.
As the organisation celebrates its 40th birthday, the demand for its services has never been greater. Scotland faces a major demographic change over the next 25 years. In that time, the number of people aged over 75 is expected to increase by 84 percent and the number of people between 60 and 74 is expected to increase by a third. Staggering statistics which require a robust planned response now.
The demand for housing and care services for older people is bound to increase. But needs and expectations will change – and Bield, with its track record and wide portfolio of services, is well placed to rise to that challenge and play a leading role in meeting that demand and those changing aspirations.
For staff and volunteers at Bield, the aim is simple – to improve the quality of life of older
people. Those involved with the organisation regularly go above and beyond the call of duty to achieve that end. What motivates them is their passion for supporting and caring for their clients and for each other.
Over the past year, Bield has gone through a major review of its strategy. Recognising the changes in its financial and operating environment and the changing aspirations of its existing and future clients, Bield has embarked on a change programme which will see new services developed, greater emphasis on partnership working and a shift towards more choice being provided, enabling older people to remain at home for as long as possible.
Brian Logan
Bield’s new vision is for a Scotland where people of all ages are respected, can make their own choices and are able to lead independent and fulfilling lives. That vision is underpinned by six core values which define the ethos of the organisation:
• • • • • •
Caring Honesty
Equality & Diversity Dignity
Inclusion Ambition
Bield’s belief is that older people have a valuable contribution to make to society and can actively participate in their local communities. However, social isolation of older people is becoming an increasing problem. Bield wants to put the reduction of social isolation at the heart of its new strategy.
Already Bield has an active volunteer programme, where local people are encouraged to give their time to befriend Bield tenants, to help service users organise social events and to tutor older people in the use of computers, connecting them with their families and friends across the world. The Association wants to develop more such innovative projects to ensure older people play a full and active part in community life.
For all charities and voluntary organisations, the financial climate in the years ahead will be tough. Public subsidy for new build housing and to fund care and support services is likely to be reduced substantially.
Bield has recognised the need to be more creative in the way it delivers services, to maximise and diversify its sources of funding and to be more entrepreneurial in its approach – but without diluting its commitment to providing quality services.
In partnership with Hanover (Scotland) and Trust Housing Associations, Bield has been working with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to consider the best policy options moving forward. Top of the list of priorities is a national strategy for older people’s housing. Much talked about over the years, it has failed to materialise.
Bield, Hanover (Scotland) and Trust will continue to press the new administration at Holyrood to deliver this much needed strategy which considers not only the bricks and mortar but also the low level preventative services which allow older people to stay independent longer. Investment in these services will keep people out of hospital or long-term care, ultimately saving the public purse at a time of scarce resources.
So Bield is right to celebrate the last 40 years of success, putting older people first. However, a new and challenging chapter in Bield’s history is about to begin.
The organisation is determined that, with imagination, innovation and efficiency, it can go on delivering excellence and championing the cause of older people well into the future.
www.bield.co.uk
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