The overall housing and care campus champions the ‘home for life’ principle, with an emphasis on enabling more people to live as independently as possible within their own homes.

It combines a 20 bedded intermediate care facility and 20 new technology enabled properties, all equipped with state-of-the-art telecare systems to support independent living.

A key innovation is the interactive Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Zone designed in partnership with Glasgow Science Centre. The TEC Zone demonstrates how technology can play a crucial role in supporting people to live safely, independently and happily at home.

Blantyre Life has been in operation since March this year and was officially opened by Provost Margaret Cooper at an event to recognise the contribution of the teams and partners involved.

Provost Cooper said: “It was fantastic to have the opportunity in person to express on behalf of the council our gratitude to all those staff who have worked so hard to deliver what is a truly impressive development.

“It was also quite inspiring to be both shown around the state-of-the-art facility and hear first-hand from staff providing care about how they are using their expertise to support people to live well, safely, and independently at home. 

“The benefits of Blantyre Life will be felt across the whole of South Lanarkshire, and indeed I look forward what is being accomplished here inspiring others across Scotland.”

Director of Health and Social Care for South Lanarkshire, Professor Soumen Sengupta, said: “My congratulations and appreciation to all of our staff and all of our partners for what has been accomplished here.

“These are starkly challenging times for health and social care, and for the communities we serve - Blantyre Life shows the impact that collaboration and innovation can make to delivering positive outcomes for local people.”

Stephen Breslin, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Science Centre (pictured above with Professor Sengupta), said: "The team were delighted to have the opportunity to work on this ground-breaking project for housing and social care. 

“Our expertise in exhibition design, coupled with the passion and vision of colleagues at South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, allowed us to develop the new TEC Zone which showcases how technology can be used to make day to day living easier and safer by giving service-users the opportunity to learn how to navigate their way through a tech-enabled home. 

“I'm thrilled that Glasgow Science Centre contributed to this innovative facility and to see the positive impact it's already having on peoples' lives."

Steven Simpson, Managing Director of The Cruden Group, who built the new housing and care campus said: “This has been a fantastic collaboration to deliver exceptional, technology-enabled homes that will allow older people to live more independently.

“The state-of-the-art homes and care campus have been built to the highest standards to be warm, comfortable and highly energy-efficient and right in the heart of the community.”