AN Inverclyde retirement housing provider has launched a new online service to help support its elderly tenants with independent living.

Bield, which operates Armadale Court, Carwood Court, Jamaica Court and Rowan Gardens in Greenock, as well as Crosshill Gardens in Port Glasgow, has opened the customer portal to coincide with Safer Internet Day, which took place last week.

The care company says the move is part of its ongoing commitment to digital transformation and the portal gives users 24/7 access to make paying bills, reporting repairs and viewing individual information easier and more convenient.

Zhan McIntyre, head of policy and customer standards at Bield, said: “Technology is essential to the future of housing services and we need to ensure our interaction with customers meets their needs and expectations as we take our services to the next level.

Greenock Telegraph: Bield has launched a new online customer portalBield has launched a new online customer portal (Image: Bield Housing)

“Getting tenants involved in the testing of the My Bield portal allowed us to find out exactly what they wanted to get out of the platform while making sure it was accessible and easy to use.”

Tenants involved in the trial were tasked with testing the quality and usability of the software using laptops, tablets and smartphones.

The group also considered the functionality, design and general use of the portal with their feedback helping to inform the final product.

Following a soft launch at the end of last year, more than 170 tenants have already registered on My Bield.

Everyone who registers for the My Bield portal will be entered into a free prize draw at the end of February for the chance to win one of two £50 shopping vouchers.

It can be accessed via the Bield website by clicking the tab at the top right-hand side of the homepage.