Appello has been chosen to provide our digital warden call product, SmartConnect, to Very Sheltered Housing properties managed by Castlehill Housing Association in Scotland.

We’re delighted to reveal our interview presentation achieved a perfect score, while our tender submission offered the best value, both in terms of quality (with the highest quality score) and the most competitive pricing.

As a registered charitable organisation, Castlehill Housing Association has a long and successful track record providing housing and associated support services for over 2000 properties across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.

The contract with Appello will initially cover four of the Association's very sheltered housing properties.

These were identified as a priority in analogue to digital upgrade plans following issues with dated analogue telecare equipment, with replacement parts becoming much harder and more costly to source.

Castlehill also wanted to position itself ahead of the demand for digital as the switchover deadline gets closer.

Best value for quality and price

Castlehill worked with WI Talbot Chartered Surveyors to put together a detailed tender specification for the project, along with support from the Digital Office in Scotland.

In particular, Castlehill was looking for:

• a future proof investment
• the reassurance of an experienced supplier
• the best value in terms of both quality and price

Appello scored highly with our comprehensive response to the tender specification.

Craig Barlow, Managing Director at Apello, said: “We're thrilled Appello has been selected by Castlehill to ensure the safety of their residents. SmartConnect provides the essentials of digital telecare, including a fast and reliable connection, along with other benefits for both residents and staff. We're now looking forward to starting the installation and helping Castlehill meet the requirements of the digital phone switchover.”

Craig Fleming , Senior Property Services Officer for Compliance, Castlehill Housing Association, said: “We're really looking forward to installing our new digital warden call system. We knew we needed to get this done to get ahead of the digital phone switchover. We didn't want to leave it until everyone else is trying to upgrade later on in the show, as our telecare services are our residents’ lifeline.

Appello ticked all our boxes, offering the best value in terms of both the quality of the systems and their competitive pricing. The emphasis on future proofing was particularly important, as we wanted to feel confident we were making a sound investment, with a system that will last – and that will enable us to be digitally-ready for our residents.”

Appello will work with Castlehill to begin the installation of SmartConnect in four very sheltered housing properties in spring 2025: Abbey Court, Mintlaw; Craigielea Gardens, Aberdeen; Dalvenie Gardens, Banchory; Victoria Grange, Dyce.

About Appello SmartConnect

SmartConnect is our fully end to end digital warden call system, covering the essentials of digital telecare.

Designed specifically for the UK's new digital network, SmartConnect focuses on core safety features so residents can quickly and easily reach assistance when they need it.

This includes:

• Simultaneous calling – so there’s no need for call queuing
• I'm OK notifications – to put residents in control of the support they receive
• Online management application – making administration of properties and equipment straightforward for staff
• Video door entry for staff – enabling secure access

Find out how we’re simplifying the digital switchover for specialist housing providers. Talk to us about how you can arrange your pain-free transition to digital telecare.