Exciting times are afoot at Blackwood’s dedicated care and support unit at Broom Court as Stirling gets into gear and acquires a shiny new e-car.

A leading provider of housing, care and support, Blackwood’s staff will be using the car to provide care at home and housing support in the community.

Care Services Manager at Broom Court, Flora Hay said – ‘Having a dedicated vehicle for the service shall enhance present service delivery and allow us to grow in the wider community. It also demonstrates as an employer our commitment to safe working practices for those who are expected to use a vehicle for work purposes.’

A greener and more economical option

Inspired by the Stirling Car Club, where multiple people share an e-car for when they need it, Blackwood decided to use a similar system to ensure staff would not be reliant on public transport around Stirling’s one way system. The scheme also ensures that employees have a roadworthy and reliable mode of transport to deliver care at home services across the city.

Making the car available will mean employees are less likely to drive to work and make better use of public transport generally and reduce fuel costs. The e-car also ties in with the Scottish Government’s objectives to reduce carbon emissions.

Even further operational efficiencies will be achieved as the car will be charged by the Broom Court development’s solar panel installation. A single charge lasts for 100 miles with charging points easily accessible around Stirling.

The scheme has been live for just over a week but the organisation is optimistic that they will be rolling it out wider across Scotland.

Malcolm McRobert, who is Locations Manager for Scotland at Eurocar’s E-Car club, helped Blackwood acquire its first car and firmly believes it is a very positive step in the right direction for the organisation. “The Scottish Government are very keen on reducing total number of car journeys and where possible using an ultra-low emission vehicle for those journeys that are made. So what [Blackwood is] doing is overtly bang on for what Scottish Government targets are; good for staff, good for the environment, good for cost.” 

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