Bromford kick-off digital social prescribing project for housing with Elemental
Earlier this week, we made our way to Wolverhampton to launch an exciting social prescribing partnership with Bromford Lab.
Launched in 2014, Bromford Lab is an innovative solution developed by Bromford Housing Association to pilot a range of ideas which improve customer experience.
For more than 50 years, Bromford has provided customers with new and affordable homes and a range of services aimed at reducing welfare-dependency and generating social value in employment, education, health and community safety.
Making the West Midlands a better place
The 12 week social prescribing pilot, which has been commissioned by the West Midlands Combined Authority is part of the Urban Challenge wellbeing award and aims to make the West Midlands a better place to live and work using social prescribing technology. To do this, the objectives of the project are to use digital technology to improve health and well-being outcomes, provide enhanced support through better connectivity, personalisation and self-directed support methods, and demonstrate how digital platforms can be used to support better mental health and well-being outcomes across the region.
“We love a test at Bromford and we are chuffed to be working with Elemental and the West Midlands Combined Authority to add a housing and community perspective to Social Prescribing.”
Vicky Green, Head of Locality – Black Country
Connecting health and housing
In an effort to go beyond bricks and mortar, Bromford Lab recognise that healthy residents require healthy homes. As a result, Neighbourhood Coaches connect customers to local services and assets which help them to thrive and grow: for example, gardening clubs and allotments, cycle paths, community centres, toddler groups and beyond.
Exciting day @BromfordLab @Bromford setting up @Its_Elemental digital #socialprescribing platform @WestMids_CA @clare_elemental pic.twitter.com/prtKLJFVLr
— Denise Elemental (@Dee_Elemental) July 3, 2018
Digital transformation with a difference
With a focus on inspiring people to the best they can be, Bromford and Elemental are on a mission to take their social prescribing to the next level using our award-winning platform which connects, supports, measures and reports to enable enhanced care within the community.
Using Elemental Software, Neighbourhood Coaches will now have the ability to make social prescribing referrals to a range of community providers including money advice services or Citizens Advice Bureau in under 60 seconds. The cloud-based solution also allows key stakeholders to track and monitor the impact of a referral in real time, which allows for accurate reporting and quantifiable metrics.
“This is a great fit with our coaching approach. Not only will we capture the difference, but our customers will be able to login and see their own progress alongside their Neighbourhood Coach.”
– Vicky Green, Head of Locality – Black Country
Building live tests @Its_Elemental @bromford creating providers & great things for customers to join locally in #Dudley #socialprescribing which includes community connections aswell as voluntary/service providers #12wktest @WestMids_CA @BromfordLab pic.twitter.com/GsNuAON0og
— Vicky Green (@Vicky_Green1) July 3, 2018
“The impact of poor housing on residents’ mental and physical health is well evidenced and we’re excited to be working with Bromford Lab, an innovative and forward thinking organisation that recognise the relationship between health and housing. Health inequalities are estimated to cost the NHS around £20 billion a year and cuts in funding mean that public services continue to face strain, making the health and well-being services provided by housing associations increasingly vital. ”
– Jennifer Neff, Elemental Software Co-founder
Elemental Social Prescribing People
