Neighbourhood networks to tackle isolation

A neighbourhood social networking site that aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation among seniors has taken out the top prize at the inaugural Senior Living Innovation Challenge.

Matiu Bush, winner of $20,000 Senior Living Innovation Challenge

A neighbourhood social networking site that aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation among seniors has taken out the top prize at the inaugural Senior Living Innovation Challenge.

The competition run by the Institute for Future Environments at Queensland University Technology and four industry partners encourages entrants to develop innovative products and services for older people to engage and participate in their communities.

Design integration lead at Bolton Clarke and a nurse practitioner Matiu Bush was announced as the overall winner on Tuesday night for his pitch, One Good Street.

The idea behind One Good Street is a social networking site that aims to give communities the opportunity to offer their assistance and skills – from hot meals to respite during a heatwave –  to older people and carers living in their neighbourhood.

“One Good Street inspires and empowers neighbours to make a real difference in the lives of older citizens,” said Mr Bush, who picked up $20,000 for his project.

“If we look at social isolation in older people through the lens of a market we can begin to design a marketplace for connection,” he said.

Mr Bush has also designed a feature in One Good Street that matches isolated older residents with each other to encourage the sharing of informal supports and joint home visits from service providers.

Matiu Bush also received the People’s Choice award, along with Brisbane-based physiotherapist Meg Lowry for her falls prevention guidebook and app.

Christoph Niesel received an honorary mention for his pitch on improving opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in later life.

Senior Living Innovation is a collaboration between the QUT, Bolton Clarke, BallyCara, Aveo and IRT Group.

Professor Laurie Buys from the Institute of Future Environments, said the initiative aims to challenge attitudes towards ageing and develop new approaches to housing, support services and products for seniors.

Read more about the six Senior Living Innovation finalists here

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Tags: bolton-clarke, community-care-review-slider, competition, laurie-buys, matiu-bush, qut, social-isolation,

3 thoughts on “Neighbourhood networks to tackle isolation

  1. Fantastic scheme but its a pity they never look at whats already available and try to link in with that. There is already quite an extensive network in Brisbane that combats isolation for elderly people in a very real way and has done since 1965.

  2. It”s difficult to take a survey serious when it”s asking the color you associate with the neighborhood, a shape that reminds you of the neighborhood, a slogan for the neighborhood & a sentence that describes the mood of the neighborhood. It resembles a kindergarten project at best, and is a bit embarrassing any funds would be dedicated to this. I would not waste my time contacting someone that supports this garbage, sorry.

  3. mmmm … ‘online social networking’ … around 50% of over 65s don’t have internet connection at their home …

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