The new homes officially opened on 20 February 2020 at the Hugh Fraser Retirement Estate, formerly the Crookfur estate.

A total of 46 new homes have been built and it is expected that the development will bring £51.1 million to the local economy in the East Renfrewshire area.

A pioneering first, these innovative retirement homes in Don McCarthy Court combine residential supported living with digitally-connected smart home technology. They are among the first in Scotland to use voice and motion-activated technology to provide round-the-clock assistance, security, reassurance and companionship.

This new phase of homes has been named after the philanthropist and long-time retailTRUST ambassador, Don McCarthy CBE.

The residents are all retirees with connections to the retail sector or supporting service industries. Enabled by the new smart home technology, from switching on their lights by voice activation, to setting voice prompts for medical appointments, residents will maintain their independence and wellbeing in their new homes.

Rather than relying on the traditional alarm-cord communications, the smart home technology provides 24/7 active monitoring. The intelligent software learns a resident’s daily routine, tracking typical behaviour, and then proactively alerting staff if part of that routine has been missed.
This reassures both the residents and their loved ones that help is on hand, preventing distressing incidents from occurring, and getting help where it is needed much more quickly.

Residents can also enjoy increased access to the outside world. Keeping in touch with family and friends through video calls, turning on the radio or television, and accessing local online services.

The voice-controlled smart speaker also provides companionship and entertainment for any resident less confident with technology or with reduced mobility, helping reduce feelings of isolation.

Douglas Spowart, relationship director for SME real estate and social housing, Bank of Scotland, said: “The new housing at the Hugh Fraser Retirement Estate is such an important project for the local area, and is one that we are proud to have supported. The homes will transform the lives of many older people living in and around Glasgow.

“At Bank of Scotland, we are committed to supporting businesses of all sizes reach their full potential. Helping Scotland prosper is at the forefront of our activity, and lending to project such as the Hugh Fraser Retirement Estate will not only financially support the local economy, but the wellbeing of its residents.”

Richard Boland, chief executive of retailTRUST, added: “We’re really excited by the possibilities this new technology offers, and the opportunity it provides to revolutionise the traditional supported living sector. Over the next five years, this new development will provide 100 much-needed residences, offering affordable, high-quality housing to the local area where people can experience an independent, safe and socially connected retirement for longer.”