Vodafone and Mencap, the UK’s leading learning disability charity, have launched ‘Connected Living’ – a pioneering initiative connecting over 30 supported living homes using smart home Internet of Things (IoT) technology.
The project features connected smart-home IoT technology as well as a bespoke app that inspires greater independence, choice and accessibility to people with a learning disability, as well as meeting the needs of support workers who support them.
‘Connected Living’ has been completely co-designed with a group of people with learning disabilities living in Mencap’s supported living services. It has been piloted over 12 months in properties around the country focusing on making everyday activities easier.
The pilot focused on how to make everyday activities – such as household tasks, time planning and socialising – easier. Technologies, including a range of user friendly, intuitive IoT enabled devices were installed in Mencap supported living homes controlled by a bespoke app, called Vodafone MyLife.
Unlike standalone devices including GPS trackers or fall detectors, the MyLife app offers a simple user interface that is integrated and accessible via a single tablet. It gives Mencap’s clients control of their smart devices, while also enabling their support workers to have remote access. In addition, the Vodafone MyLife app allows users to create visual guides for everyday tasks and a host of other features such as:
My Room – enables residents to manage smart plugs, smart locks and smart lights via the app.
How To – allows residents and support workers to create visual guides for everyday tasks.
My Day – is a personalised diary management tool that enables users to create daily reminders for everyday tasks.
My Talk – provides those with speech problems another way to communicate, via personalised images, text and a speech function.
Call Support – allows prompt remote support via a digital ‘panic button’ that allows two-way video calling between residents and support workers with one touch.
To Do List – enables tenants to create easy to manage ‘to do’ lists to encourage them to carry out and tick off tasks throughout the day.
My Front Door – enables residents to answer their front door and check who is calling from anywhere in the house.
Other IoT technologies trialled include:
Activity Sensors – which detect unexpected movement and alert support workers.
Smart Locks – which can be used to provide residents privacy and a sense of security in their own rooms.
Helen Lamprell, General Counsel and External Affairs Director, Vodafone UK said:
“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. It has been developed in partnership between Vodafone, Mencap and, most importantly of all, those with learning disabilities themselves. 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”.