dtlater

As part of its ongoing open consultation, Nominet Trust brought together a group of experts this past week to think about how technology might be used to realise new opportunities - and address the persistent challenges such as social isolation, access to adequate care and pensioner poverty - facing people in later life. We weren't looking at how adding digital might make existing services more cost-effective or efficient; nor were we seeking specific solutions. Instead we were hoping to define some areas that would benefit from social innovation with technology.

"The Campaign to End Loneliness is a coalition of organisations and individuals working together through research, policy, campaigning and innovation to combat loneliness and inspire individuals to keep connected in older age in the UK."

We provide an information and advice service for older people, their families and carers, focusing on social care, welfare benefits and befriending services. This is integrated with local support, including one-to-one and group befriending schemes.

"The International Longevity Centre-UK is the leading think tank on longevity and demographic change. It is an independent, non-partisan think-tank dedicated to addressing issues of longevity, ageing and population change. We develop ideas, undertake research and create a forum for debate. Much of our work is directed at the highest levels of government and the civil service, both in London and Brussels. We have a reputation as a respected think tank which works, often with key partner organisations, to inform important decision-making processes. We are aided in this work by our Chief Executive, Baroness Sally Greengross, former director-general of Age Concern and now a cross-bench peer."

"we are the interface here in the South West between older people's representatives and the organisations whose policies, products and services impact upon them."

"Shaw Trust is a national charity which supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work, find jobs and live more independently. We believe everyone has the right to work and we have campaigned for 30 years to turn our vision into a reality. Every year we work with over 75,000 clients who face barriers due to disability, ill health or social circumstance. Thousands of employers and public sector organisations also benefit from our range of services for business. We are the UK's largest third sector provider and one of the Government's lead partners in the delivery of employment programmes for disabled and disadvantaged people."

Participle's vision is radical: public services which offer all citizens a fair chance to realise their potential. For citizens to have this chance, it is not enough for society to present them merely with opportunities. There must be a shared commitment to developing citizens' capabilities, so that all can acquire the skills necessary to seize and shape opportunities. At Participle, we do two things: Firstly, bring together the widespread community level ideas and creative activity, and mix it with world-leading experts in any given field; Secondly, drive forward thoughts and actions around developing a new social settlement which can deal with the big social issues of our time. 

"Developing integrated care for an ageing population"

"My Life Software™ has developed Digital Reminiscence Therapy Software™, an innovative software solution that provides communication support and interactive games for the elderly and people with dementia. Designed by carers for carers, the product emanates from meticulous research and field testing involving frontline care workers, patients and family members - helping you to provide person-centred care at a fingers touch."

"Welcome to Silverhairs. Full of informative features, special offers, discounts, competitions, helpful forums, social networks and much much more for the over 50s. Receive all the latest offers by registering for our Newsletter"

"This think-piece by Richard Berry develops a 'system map' of digital exclusion"

"Independent Age, the charity that provides lifelong support to older people in need, has pledged to get older people online and help them stay there, enabling them to reap the benefits of improved links to the wider community."

"The workshop that Drew Mackie and I ran last week, exploring how to help people adopt digital technology, is part of a suite of games and other methods we are developing, with Sangeet Bhullar, under the title of Living Lab. I wrote then that I would explain further - so here goes."

"In October, over 6 days at the OXO Tower Southbank, Trading Times will host one of the most significant public debates in a generation - 'The Age of No Retirement?'"

Provided expert advice and scoped requirements for the development of NHS Online, a proposed portal and community of practice for medical and support staff in the NHS. Facilitated a workshop involving senior managers and stakeholders from DH, NHS, PCTs and RHA's. Produced options paper with recommendations.

"his design study looks at how social networking technology can better support older people in maintaining connections to the individuals and groups that mean the most to them. People over 60 tend to use the internet in different ways to younger people and most current social networking sites offer little incentive for them to engage. An older person is more likely to use the internet for information rather than social communication or entertainment, currently the primary focus of many sites."

"The Centre for Social Action Innovation Fund is a £14m fund run by Nesta, the UK's Innovation Foundation, working in partnership with the Cabinet Office."

"n summary: the dtlater exploration showed a lot of action in the field of social technology and later life, but also suggested that more could be achieved through great cooperation. As a next step we are going to experiment with some active social reporting and network building to try and show how that might be possible. It's an adhoc initiative by the team who have now completed the first phase of work."

"The Social Learning Network has been set up to foster conversations about the potential use of social, informal online learning in civil society"

"I would like to introduce you to just a few examples of exciting and cost effective innovations which could be promoted by local authorities. Many more example are included in my forthcoming eBook "The Click Guide to Digital Technology for Care""