Cornish residents help improve health and wellbeing within their communities

Smartline is a partnership project led by the University of Exeter, with Coastline Housing, Cornwall Council and Volunteer Cornwall. The project aims to support businesses within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to develop new products and services that will support independent living, refocusing demand away from statutory services.

The project will install a range of environmental sensors into the Coastline Housing homes of 350 participants to measure air quality, humidity and temperature and electricity, gas and water usage. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires about their aspirations and needs of the community. The combination of this data will be used to understand the common desires within the community and inspire the development of new products and services.

An example of how technology can be used to bring communities together is within a flat complex in Camborne.  A number of residents joined Smartline and each expressed a desire to have a better connection with their neighbours. Driven by this data, the project team are now working with the residents to build a more integrated community.

At the recent Smartline launch event attendees were shown demonstrations of the sensors from Invisible Systems, live data feeds from UrbanTide and examples of existing smart technology from local businesses, The Smart Home Company and DadPad.

Whilst at the event Mrs Maureen Rolfe, a project participant from Pool, said: “I’m really excited about the project. I joined up because I want to help future generations and I think the project could improve how houses are built in future. I’m looking forward to getting the tablet computer because I’d like to be able to keep in touch with people in my area and offer help to others if they need it.”

Dr Tim Taylor, Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter and lead researcher on the project said: “This is an innovative project which brings together the latest research with business and communities. It puts Cornwall on the cutting edge of research into how we can make the most of technology in our homes to boost wellbeing and health. Participation is entirely voluntary – we’ve had excellent engagement so far and I’d encourage even more Coastline Housing customers in the Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth area to sign up.”

The event was also an opportunity for businesses to learn more about the support on offer from Smartline. Councillor Bob Egerton, Cornwall Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy said: “Cornwall has an established creative technology sector that can provide our community with modern solutions to the challenges we face here and elsewhere around the world.  Smartline is an important and exciting project and I look forward to seeing its impact.”

If you would like more information on the project, to become a participant, access business support or understand the research activities of the University of Exeter then please visit our website at www.smartline.org.uk

Smartline is a three year project funded by the European Regional Development Fund with additional funding from the South West Academic Health Science Network (SW AHSN).