BCHA adopts innovative assistive technologies to improve support services

21 September 2011

Specialist housing and social care support provider BCHA has selected Cirrus to enhance support services for its residents. The innovative partnership will see Cirrus provide a range of assistive technologies as part of BCHA’s ‘New Ways of Working’ programme.

Cirrus will install personal alarm units that, at the push of a button, will enable clients to contact the BCHA customer support centre 24/7 from the privacy and security of their own home.

BCHA work across a wide geographical area, including Dorset, Oxford, Reading, Exeter, Plymouth, Salisbury and Chippenham. They offer a wide range of support to people in vulnerable circumstances, such as those dealing with substance misuse, homelessness or domestic violence.

The personal alarm units selected by BCHA use the mobile GSM network which means that they can be transferred between clients and buildings according to need, without the expense of modifying existing wiring systems.

Use of CCTV and door entry systems are also being extended to allow the central monitoring of activity at services, in order to provide enhanced security for residents and enable existing support staff to deliver more flexible, and individual support to clients.

Sarah Ward, Homelessness and Substance Misuse Manager for BCHA said, “Working with Cirrus has been hugely helpful in us establishing a more flexible approach to delivering our services. The initiative will provide enhanced benefits for our clients and improve value for money options for those who commission similar types of services.”

Andy Davey, Managing Director of Cirrus added, “While traditionally used by the retirement and disability sectors, BCHA’s innovative use of assistive technologies demonstrates the benefits they can provide for specialist and social housing providers.”