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Tenants welcome Highland ‘FitHome’ development

June 20 2018

Tenants welcome Highland ‘FitHome’ development
Fourteen tenants have been handed the keys to a ‘FitHome’ concept village in Dalmore, Alness, which seeks to marry basic housing provision with healthcare and welfare.

The pilot project has been delivered by Carbon Dynamic on behalf of Albyn Housing Association and NHS Highland to enable people to extend their independence within the community for longer by taking advantage of new technological solutions to detect the onset of ill-health.

The village will serve as a proof of concept for this new approach, which is already in planning to be rolled out in Nairn and Inverness.

Lucy Fraser, head of innovation at Albyn Housing Society, said: “At the heart of the FitHome concept is a shared vision which states that everyone should have the choice to live safe and well in their homes and communities for as long as they want.

“What’s more, it demonstrates a collaborative approach to wellness by combining the principles of health, care and housing with modular home design and ‘Internet of Things’ technology – something we must embrace and take advantage of as we delve deeper into the digital age.”

“Just as important, the FitHome and its social business model is replicable throughout Scotland, the UK and globally, delivering a real solution that puts the customer first as well as directly addressing inequality and growing healthcare challenges, and creating training and employability opportunities.” 

The FitHome concept originated in 2008 when a tenant was found dead in their home, having lain unnoticed for over a year, galvanising Albyn into putting new preventative measures in place.
19 year old Dylan Bogue, who lives with muscular dystrophy, is one of the first new tenants
19 year old Dylan Bogue, who lives with muscular dystrophy, is one of the first new tenants
Tenants will provide feedback on design, layouts and technology to inform future developments
Tenants will provide feedback on design, layouts and technology to inform future developments

3 Comments

Harry
#1 Posted by Harry on 20 Jun 2018 at 11:35 AM
I am sure the floorplans work well, but could these buildings looks any more grim from outside?
Sue Pearman
#2 Posted by Sue Pearman on 20 Jun 2018 at 13:08 PM
It's very unfortunate that these look like the ill fated post war prefabs that had so many lngevity issues....and institutional at the same time. The immediate question that springs to mind is why simple harling and larch cladding were not used? Something that would be easily maintainable by local builders would have been infinitely better than fibre cement rainscreen and would have given the residents a more recognisably residential environment.
Inahuf
#3 Posted by Inahuf on 20 Jun 2018 at 22:13 PM
They must have put all their thought and care into the tech as it’s not in the buildings or landscape = grim and hardly a jot of privacy in the living rooms. The first para has it right “basic housing provision”.

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