Residents of two former Glasgow care homes are settling into a stunning new facility built as part of an £112.5million investment programme. Victoria Gardens is a new 70 bed care home built on the site of the former Blawarthill Hospital in Knightswood.

Provided by Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership, it is one of five new care homes built across the city to replace old, outdated facilities.

Complete with its own cinema and hair salon, the home is a stylish, contemporary facility which sets the standard for residential care. More than half the ground floor rooms have direct access to beautiful, level and secure gardens. Light floods into the building through double-glazed, floor-to-ceiling windows and residents' rooms have underfloor heating, en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers, fridges, safes, TVs, built-in storage, individual thermostats and landline phones with free local calls.

Chair aerobics, bingo, choir, Tai Chi and an intergenerational project with youngsters from a local nursery all keep the residents, aged 70 to 101, busy. There's internet access in the activity rooms and movies in the on-site cinema (which can also be viewed remotely if residents want to watch the film or enjoy a church service from the comfort of their own rooms.)

Many of the residents have dementia and the décor is designed to stimulate memories and spark conversation. Even the crockery has been chosen to make life easier for residents with dementia who can have problems with their sight and perception which makes recognising food on white plates difficult. Lockable memory boxes are sited outside each room where residents can display photos, ornaments and keepsakes to personalise their room's entrance.

Victoria Gardens replaces outdated facilities at Rannoch House in Kelvindale and Drumry House in Drumchapel.

New resident, Ann O'Neill, aged 82 years, is thrilled with her new "flat". She said:"I think my flat is terrific! I really like the curtains and the hairdresser is great."

Robert Robertson aged 71, likes his new room and also enjoys a singalong with other residents. He said: "I love my new room, it's bigger than the one I had at Rannoch House. I didn't have an en-suite bathroom there, so I love my new shower room, because I can use it without help. It has helped me become more independent."

Yvonne Scroggie, Operations Manager, said: "The residents and their families love it here. Relatives are delighted that their loved ones have such lovely surroundings. We've seen a transformation in some of the residents since they moved here. It is a lovely environment for residents and staff and when the better weather comes and we can make use of the gardens and balcony area, it will be great!"

Images of the care home can be viewed.