Launched in 2021, Connected Places Catapult Homes for Healthy Ageing programme explores some of the most pressing challenges facing an ageing population and with the aim of allowing people to live longer, happier and healthier lives in their own homes.

Connected Places Catapult has committed to delivering 5 testbeds across the UK which will help local agencies and SMEs develop and showcase innovative solutions to these problems. The first of these testbeds will be in Sunderland and Northern Ireland, with five Northern Ireland firms joining the programme which will focus locally on the challenges of Social Isolation and Loneliness.

  • Civic Dollars – Civic Dollars a community currency app that encourages users to be more active by incentivising activity. The platform works by issuing a Civic Dollar for every 30 minutes a user spends in a park designated as an earn zone. The users can use their Civic Dollars for rewards to improve their lifestyle or donate them to a local community organisation.
  • Living in Fitness – Living in Fitness is an award-winning health and fitness service helping older adults maintain their independence and quality of life through exercise. They provide offline and online live classes and on demand content for the over 60’s.
  • Companiions – The Companiions platform provides a simple, trusted way for people to arrange in-person, on-demand support, assistance and company for themselves or their loved ones from a pool of local, trusted, and vetted companions.
  • Storii – Storii seeks to reduce social isolation and preserve life stories with simple technology. The platform helps people to build life stories and connect with loved ones in a practical way that is effective across generations.
  • Wanatok – Wanatok is a tech for good app with the simple aim of bringing people together in person to talk in real-time, in their current location. The platform aims to have a positive impact on older adults’ lives by helping them meet people, thereby reducing feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

Over the coming months, Connected Places Catapult and location partners will work with the SMEs to develop and refine their experiment plans, as well as offering support around engagement with end-users, experiment deployment, evaluation, and showcase plans. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) will also offer 1-1 support to interested SMEs, to advise on matters such as data collection, privacy, and consent.