4 examples of digital innovation from Impact Awards 2018 Winners
The DigitalAgenda Impact Awards celebrate digital innovations that improve people’s lives and the world around us. Their 2018 winners have just been revealed and there’s four tech-for-social-good innovations that really stood out for me. If you’re a charity taking your first steps on your digital maturity journey take note:
I love the clarity of SH:24. Unlike many public health digital tools it’s not trying to do too much. The focus is on free and confidential STI testing that you can access 24 hours a day. They test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis & HIV. Delivering services online means the NHS is able to release capacity and money, while giving people access to testing in a discreet way that suits them. It would be amazing to see this service rolled out across the rest of the UK.
As we see more social housing providers delve in to the Internet of Things I’m pleased to see simpler, off the shelf technology emerging. Switchee is a smart connected thermostat designed to help affordable housing providers fight fuel poverty. For housing associations and other social landlords Switchee gives them tools and information to make better asset management decisions – moving from reactive to preventative service programmes.
The TalkLife founders created a safe social network to get help and give help – a community where you can always feel welcome and know that someone is here for you. Literally, thousands of people are always on TalkLife – at any time — just waiting to listen. Given that, for the average app, 77% of users never use the app again 72 hours after installing, it will be interesting to see how TalkLife takes offs. I’d love to see more charities building this type of support in to their usage of mainstream social media channels – in particular Whatsapp, Snapchat and Facebook Messenger.
In their journey of interrupted lives, unfinished studies and integration challenges, many asylum seekers and refugees yearn to update their tech skills, but lack learning opportunities. Code your Future want to change this. Last year they launched the first cohort of their 6-month web development programme, coached by a group of professional developers. Today they are running new classes in London and Glasgow, with plans to expand to other regions and cities. I want to see more organisations tackling digital inclusion in this way – being truly aspirational for some of the most marginalised groups in our society.
Which of the DigitalAgenda Impact Awards 2018 winners stood out for you? Leave a comment below or tweet me your favourites and I’ll RT them.
