1 | the challenge

Expectations of care and support are changing rapidly, with a new emphasis on prevention and wellbeing. At the same time, however, intense pressure on budgets is leading to the rationing of services, needs going unmet and restricted choice. These contradictory pressures are forcing organisations involved in the commissioning and provision of health, housing and care services to consider radically different and unprecedented ways of working.

The ray of hope in these challenging circumstances is the growing number of innovative digital tools which empower users, facilitate collaboration and improve outcomes. These tools also hold out the promise to significantly drive down costs.

We are passionate about the potential of these tools to transform health, housing and social care in the UK.

Over the last few years we have developed a variety of ways to help organisations take advantage of this digital revolution and understand where these new technologies can really make a difference. This document explains what we can offer.

2 | why digital?

care in the digital age

3 | care in the digital age

the challengeCare in the digital age is a participatory one-day event which explores how digital technology will impact on services. It showcases technologies that offer new ways of supporting service users, carers and their families, demonstrating their potential with examples of how they are being used.

The event presents digital technology solutions which address a wide range of needs. The emphasis is on technologies that promote independence, diminish social isolation and address the issue of digital exclusion amongst disadvantaged groups. It draws on our experience of the availability, impact and effectiveness of web and app based systems. And the team we have brought together to deliver the

event includes pioneers in the innovation and deployment of digital technologies in health, housing and care (although we have a strictly independent and objective position with regard to individual products).

Care in the digital age has been designed to help participants deliver more user-focused, cost effective services through the use of new technologies. However many also find it highly motivating and inspiring, presenting a positive and exciting vision for connected care and health in the twenty-first century. The programme also includes practical training in the use of digital engagement and social media to facilitate more joined-up working.

4 | care in the digital age

the challengeWho is it for? The programme is ideally suited for a mix of service commissioners, front line staff and managers from local authority, private sector and voluntary providers spanning care, health and housing. It can be adapted for specific areas (such as health, mental health, community engagement, older people, children and young people) or for a single organisation.

Ideal number of participants: 80–100

Cost: £12,000 plus hire of appropriate wifi equipped venue and facilities. Care in the digital age requires the appointment of a dedicated project manager on the client side, with appropriate administrative support. It is also requires an investment of time on the part of senior staff members to work with us to identify the particular

challenges your organisation wants to address with the event.

“The Kent Care in the Digital Age event created a fantastic environment for engagement, improving understanding and furthering discussion about how professionals can widen their understanding of the digital opportunities that exist.” James Lampert Commissioning Manager Kent County Council

“Kent DigiCare was for me a watershed moment in how organisations can bring together professionals, service users and innovators to achieve community change. It wasn’t just a one day conference – it built new relationships, inspired new thinking and left a social legacy.”Paul Taylor Lead on Innovation, Service Design, Research and Development, Bromford Group

connected care solutions

5 | connected care solutions

the challengeConnected Care Solutions is a one-day event intended to promote a culture of problem solving, outcome-focused approaches and continuous improvement in your organisation. It consists of a combination of presentation and workshop sessions, drawing on methods effective in promoting innovation.

Before the event we work with you to develop an online survey to identify key problems and issues that your organisation faces every day. This enables us to tailor the programme to give participants the tools and experience to develop and evaluate options, as well as exploring ways of overcoming the barriers that prevent positive change. The problems considered can involve small changes or service

transformation. One of the key outcomes from the day is an action plan and a routemap for addressing these challenges

Who is it for? The programme is for people who work in health, housing or care services, in local government, housing associations, Health and Wellbeing Boards, the third sector, social enterprises or elsewhere, at all levels.

Ideal number of participants: 30–50

Cost: £6,000 plus provision of appropriate venue and a dedicated administrator.

“The conference, held in Camden Town, was brilliant. It hosted a range of people from different backgrounds, with lifetimes of experience.” Conor Pendergrast CEO Resifle

care goes social

6 | care goes social

the challengeCare goes social is a one-day facilitated learning experience which introduces participants to the strategic use of social media and digital leadership. The day focuses on: developing confidence in using social media; creating a ‘digital identity’ for the organisation; understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each medium; looking at how others currently see you and developing a map of the organisation’s digital communities of stakeholders. It also results in an action plan for taking digital engagement forward.

Who is it for? Senior management teams; communications and marketing departments; operational and other staff acting as digital ambassadors; whole organisations on ‘awaydays’.

Ideal number of participants: 10–30

Cost: £3,000 plus provision of appropriate venue, facilities and appropriate administrative support.

“I was really pleased with the energy you generated and how positive staff were about the potential of technology… We will now develop this further in relation to specific programmes of work. There is lots to be done to refocus our work and technology will play a big part in that.”Rhian Huws Williams Chief Executive Care Council for Wales

critical friendship

7 | critical friendship

the challengeOur critical friend reviews are second opinions on particular aspects of your organisation’s positioning, strategy or initiatives. Because of our independent position, we can ‘tell it as it is’ while being sympathetic to what you are trying to achieve. We review identify opportunities, collaborations and pitfalls which may have been missed, and suggest improvements which can make your initiatives more fit for purpose.

In acting as a critical friend, we are able to draw upon many years of working with adult and children’s services, health, housing, social enterprises and charities. Our expertise encompasses policy, research, branding, marketing, communications and digital technology

as well as evidence, best practice and ‘what good looks like’.

Who are they for? Critical friend reviews are relevant to many different kinds of organisations and activities but they are particularly valuable where a new initiative involves going into uncharted territory.

Cost: £2,100 assuming all discussions can be held on the phone or via Skype.

“Shirley took on the role of critical friend for our new brand and website and provided us with a completely different and invaluable perspective. It was extremely useful to talk our work through with someone with as much knowledge and experience as Shirley.” Lucy Poulton Communications Manager Barnwood Trust

8 | who we are

the challengeWe are a network of practitioners with backgrounds in health, housing and care and extensive experience in fields including branding, marketing and digital communi-cations. The core team consists of Shirley Ayres and James Souttar.

Shirley Ayres is a respected commentator with extensive specialist knowledge of the care sector as well as the use of digital technology and social media. A qualified social worker she holds an MSc in Marketing and academic awards in Ethics, Criminology and Management. She is the author of Can online innovations enhance social care? (2013) for the Nominet Trust.

James Souttar is a communications specialist with considerable experience of stakeholder engagement, adult learning and developing communications strategy. He has worked with organizations in the care, health, governmental, higher education, professional, and not for-profit sectors. For more than twenty years he was senior consultant with a leading digital communications agency, focusing on corporate branding and digital engagement. In 2005 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Middlesex University for his work in rebranding the university.

9 | contact us

the challengeIf you are interested in any of our services or would like to discuss how we might help your organisation explore the many digital opportunities to enhance person-centred care and build connected communities please contact us on:

email shirley.ayres@btinternet.com

twitter @shirleyayres

Please note that the fees quoted are valid as of January 2014 but we reserve the right to change them at any time without notice. Additional meetings, travelling and subsistence, outside costs and other requirements which are not part of the service specification will be charged extra.