What Bield does

Bield Housing & Care is a not-for-profit Scottish charity and Registered Social Landlord founded in 1971, headquartered in Edinburgh. The organisation provides housing and support services for older people across Scotland, owning or part-owning over 4,600 properties spanning 21 local authorities. Its service portfolio includes Retirement Housing (with variants offering meals and on-site care), Amenity Housing, General Needs Housing, and a Shared Ownership scheme for people aged 60+, supplemented by care services (Bield at Home, Oakburn Park Day Care) regulated by the Care Inspectorate.

The core technology-enabled product is Bield Response 24 (BR24), a 24/7 digital alarm monitoring and telecare service integrated into Scotland's National Shared Alarm Receiving Centre. BR24's underlying platform runs on Chubb Cloud Care Control powered by Skyresponse, with sensor-based environmental monitoring deployed across housing developments. The My Bield online customer portal provides tenants with self-service access to housing applications, rent payments, and service requests, and is currently undergoing system upgrade. BR24 is accredited under the TEC Services Association Quality Standards Framework.

Bield generates revenue primarily through recurring streams: social housing rent across the 4,600+ property portfolio, shared ownership rent on the unsold equity portion (typically 25%-75% sold), subscription fees for BR24 alarm monitoring under contracts with 40+ external partners (housing providers, local authorities, Health and Social Care Partnerships), additional fees for meals and care services in Retirement Plus Housing, and property management/factoring for owner occupiers. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer channels (My Bield portal, customer contact centre, on-site housing managers) with a B2B partnership network for BR24 services. The organisation is governed by a voluntary Board led by Chair Paul Edie, with executive leadership under CEO Debbie Collins.

Name

Bield

Legal name

Bield Housing & Care

Website

https://bield.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Bield Housing & Care is a Scottish non-profit and Registered Social Landlord founded in 1971 that provides retirement and supported housing, care services, and a 24/7 digital telecare service (BR24) to older people across 21 Scottish local authorities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Housing and Care Services for Older People

NAICS

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (623311), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312), Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (623), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Rental / Fee-for-Service CCRCs (HLADAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Market-Rate Independent Living (Private Pay) Communities (HLADAAAA), Small Residential Care Homes (RCFE/Board & Care) (HLADABAF), Independent Living Real Estate Owners/Operators (REITs & Management Companies) (HLADAAAG)

Keywords

• Retirement housing
• Social housing provider
• Telecare alarm monitoring
• Care services elderly
• Supported independent living

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Social Housing Rent: Rental income from over 4,600 properties across 21 local authorities in Scotland. Properties include retirement housing, retirement housing with meals, retirement plus housing, amenity housing, and general needs housing.
2. Shared Ownership: Home ownership scheme where customers buy a share (typically 25-75%) in the property and pay rent on the remaining share. Available for people aged 60+.
3. BR24 Alarm Monitoring Services: Digital alarm monitoring and telecare services provided to external partners including housing providers, local authorities, and Health and Social Care Partnerships. Supports over 25,000 citizens.
4. Meals and Care Services: Additional cost services including on-site meals (two home-cooked meals per day) and care services in Retirement Plus Housing. Care services regulated by Care Inspectorate.
5. Property Management/Factoring: Property management services for owner occupiers in shared ownership schemes, including factoring and maintenance services.
6. Guest Room Bookings: Guest room facilities available at Bield developments for visitors, tenants, and staff. Reviewed annually with charges provided during booking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bield Housing & Care is a not-for-profit Scottish charity and Registered Social Landlord providing retirement and amenity housing, shared ownership, on-site meals and care services, and 24/7 digital telecare (BR24) to older people across 21 local authorities in Scotland, with over 4,600 properties. The organization supports independent living through housing, technology-enabled care, property management, repairs, and community engagement.

Product overview

Bield Housing & Care is a not-for-profit Scottish charity and Registered Social Landlord providing housing and support services to older people across Scotland. The portfolio spans multiple product lines: Retirement Housing (with Meals, Plus, and standard variants), Amenity Housing, General Needs Housing, and Owner/Shared Ownership Services — all offered across 21 local authorities in Scotland, with over 4,600 properties. The core technology-enabled product is Bield Response 24 (BR24), a 24/7 digital alarm monitoring and telecare service integrated into Scotland's National Shared Alarm Receiving Centre. Tenant-facing digital services include the My Bield online customer portal for housing applications, rent payments, and self-service. Care services include Oakburn Park Day Care and Bield at Home (Care at Home), regulated by the Care Inspectorate. Supporting services include property management, repairs, and guest rooms. The organization operates its own workforce across Scotland with no developer-facing API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bield Response 24 (BR24): Digital alarm monitoring and telecare service operating 24/7, supporting people to live safely and independently at home. Provides services to over 25,000 citizens and emergency out of hours repairs support to more than 55,000 citizens.
• My Bield
• Oakburn Park Day Care
• Bield at Home

Products and services

• Bield Response 24 (BR24) 24/7 digital alarm monitoring and telecare service supporting people to live safely and independently at home. Operates as part of Scotland's National Shared Alarm Receiving Centre (Shared ARC) and is provided to over 40 external partners including housing providers, local authorities, and Health and Social Care Partnerships.
• My Bield Customer Portal Online tenant portal providing access to housing applications, rent payments, and self-service functions for existing tenants and applicants.
• Retirement Housing Independent living accommodation for people aged 60+ with on-site staff, communal facilities, and community support, available across 21 local authorities in Scotland.
• Retirement Housing with Meals Retirement housing with the addition of an on-site meals service providing two home-cooked meals per day at an additional cost.
• Retirement Plus Housing Retirement housing with on-site meals and care services provided based on tenant needs, regulated by the Care Inspectorate.
• Amenity Housing Self-contained accommodation designed specifically with the needs of older people in mind.
• General Needs Housing Standard housing properties with no adaptations or on-site support, suitable for anyone.
• Owner Services (Shared Ownership) Home ownership scheme allowing buyers aged 60+ to purchase a share in a property (typically 25-75%) and pay rent on the remaining share, combined with property management/factoring services.
• Oakburn Park Day Care Day care service for frail people over 60 in East Dunbartonshire, providing personal care, social inclusion, activities, transport, meals, and emotional support, in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council Social Work and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
• Bield at Home (Care at Home) Care at Home service for older people in Linlithgow, based at the West Port development, supporting tenants and community members with medication administration, social outings, laundry, shopping, and social activities; registered with the Care Inspectorate.
• Property Management Service Comprehensive property management for owner occupiers in shared ownership schemes, including annual inspections, electrical and gas safety checks, asbestos surveys, fire safety, water hygiene, and planned improvement works such as new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, and heating systems.
• Repairs Service Arranges all repairs and maintenance for tenants' homes and communal areas, categorised as emergency (6-hour response), urgent (3-day response), or routine (20 working days).
• Guest Rooms Guest room facilities available at many Bield developments for visiting friends and family, tenants from other Bield developments, and staff on business purposes, with charges reviewed annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• BR24 supports over 25,000 citizens with telecare services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UK HIVE (led by HACT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBield became a Founding Partner of UK HIVE, a new collaborative initiative led by HACT. UK HIVE represents a strategic commitment to innovation in housing and care across the UK.
• Housing LIN (Housing Learning and Improvement Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBield became the first Scottish sponsor of Housing LIN, underlining its commitment to sector collaboration, knowledge-sharing and innovation in housing with care.
• Chubb Fire and Security LtdcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership on the Shared ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre) in Scotland platform. Chubb Cloud Care Control, powered by Skyresponse, delivers the national digital platform for modernizing telecare across Scotland.
• Link GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationLink Group and Bield Response 24 (BR24) partnership offers customers enhanced digital service. The move to a fully digital Alarm Receiving Centre involves partnership working to migrate alarm links to the new platform.
• Scotland's National Shared ARC PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationBR24 is part of Scotland's National Shared Alarm Receiving Centre. The platform is a national programme led by the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, with support from Scotland Excel and the Scottish Government.
• Dogs Trust ScotlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBield teamed up with Dogs Trust Scotland to learn more about pet-friendly housing providers through a tenant survey.
• SocialudocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Socialudo to launch major report 'A Roadmap for Independent Living: Reimagining Housing, Health, and Ageing in Scotland', setting out a 20-year vision for independent living in Scotland.
• ChangeworksminorOthersEnergy advice partnership with Changeworks. Bield tenants can access the Changeworks Energy Support Service for RTS switchover advice and energy support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Home Group: Large UK housing association with significant retirement and supported living portfolio for older people. Broader geographic reach and wider service mix than Bield.
• Orbit Group: UK-wide housing association providing retirement living, independent living, and supported housing. Comparable business model with broader geographic and service diversification than Bield.

Direct peers

• Wheatley Group: Major Scottish housing and care group including GHA, Loretto, and Your Homes. Comparable in retirement housing and supported living for older people across Scotland, with similar regulatory and operational profile.
• Places for People: Large UK housing association providing retirement living, supported housing, and care services. Comparable on scale, integrated service offering, and use of digital tenant platforms.
• Hanover Housing Association: Scotland-based housing association focused exclusively on older persons' housing. Direct geographic and segment peer with retirement housing portfolio across Scottish local authorities.
• Anchor Hanover: Largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for older people in England. Directly comparable on retirement housing, sheltered housing, and integrated care services for the over-55s segment.
• Link Group: One of Scotland's largest housing associations offering retirement, general needs, and mid-market housing across multiple local authorities. Direct BR24 partner and comparator in scale, geography, and customer segment (older people, families).
• Sanctuary Housing: One of the UK's largest housing associations providing retirement living, sheltered housing, supported living, and care services for older people. Direct competitor in retirement housing with care integration.

Emerging players

• Richmond Villages (by Bupa): Operator of retirement villages and care homes across the UK. Comparable on integrated retirement living with care services, though operates commercially rather than as a social landlord.

Others

• Tunstall Healthcare: UK provider of telecare and technology-enabled care services to housing associations and local authorities. Direct BR24 competitor at the technology platform layer, including for analogue-to-digital switchover contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BieldScotland
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzaaaVYittggQXzOr6NkViQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/bieldhousingandcare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bield-housing-&-care

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bield