A new initiative has been launched by Vodafone’s Business Ventures and disability charity Mencap to better connect supported living homes.
The Connected Living project will use IoT technology to enhance the quality of life for people with learning disabilities, and support workers with tools for providing personalised care.
Co-designed by telecoms giant Vodafone, the initiative combines Vodafone’s IoT expertise and connectivity with Mencap’s experience of improving the quality of life for people with a learning disability.
The 12 month pilot, already live in seven UK locations, focused on making household tasks, time planning and socialising easier with a range of IoT enabled devices installed in Mencap Supported Living homes controlled by a bespoke app, called Vodafone MyLife.
“I am incredibly proud of this project and excited by what it means for the way people with learning disabilities will be able to live their lives in the future,” said Helen Lamprell, General Counsel and external affairs director at Vodafone UK.
“The project aims to give those living with a learning disability greater independence and a better quality of life. It really demonstrates the power of technology to change people’s lives for the better.”
Steve Baker, Operations Director from Mencap added: “It was important to us to make this a truly collaborative project – that the people we support ended up with something truly bespoke that gave them exactly what they needed.
“This wasn’t about off-the shelf tech – so as world leaders in IoT, Vodafone were the perfect partner.
“The most rewarding thing has been to see it working and the life changing impact it can have for the people we support and their support workers, who do such an amazing and challenging job.”