Posted 05.06.15
One of the North-West's biggest housing providers is putting a range of services supporting health and financial wellbeing at the fingertips of its tenants, with the launch of new apps for two of its regions.
In addition to services such as repairs reporting, paying rent and requesting appointments, Plus Dane's new digital solution provides a wealth of support tools beyond housing. It also reduces the need for face-to-face or phone contact with Plus Dane's busy customer advisers.
The two apps - for Plus Dane Merseyside & Cheshire and Plus Dane Ellesmere Port & Neston - bring together services including Universal Jobmatch, The Money Advice Service, Universal Credit and NHS Choices. This added capability reflects Plus Dane's role "to maximise investment in neighbourhoods to enhance people's quality of life, opportunity and choice".
The apps help tenants search for employment and provide job-hunting tips to boost their chances. Users can also calculate their benefit entitlement, book a GP appointment and check health symptoms.
Plus Dane's tenants - who live in 18,000 homes across Merseyside & Cheshire - can use the apps to request demonstrations of the community alarm, report instances of antisocial behaviour, log complaints, or leave compliments.
They can also play their part in maintaining their local environment, with a street-scene reporting function for issues like roads in need of repair, dumped rubbish, faulty street lights and graffiti. Their reports are forwarded to the appropriate council department.
The Plus Dane mobile apps - which have been built by public sector-owned technology developer LookingLocal - are available for free for iOS and Android smartphones. They are based on LookingLocal's MyLandlord platform.
The information can also be accessed through Sky and Virgin digital television, making them accessible to as many tenants as possible. Both have been designed to carry Plus Dane's strong branding.
Kelly Arnold, Plus Dane's Digital Inclusion Officer, is responsible for the roll-out of the app. She said:
"Plus Dane is committed to ensuring that tenants have every opportunity to improve their quality of life and personal circumstances.
"We are focusing on improving tenants' digital skills and we are particularly keen to make employment opportunities and advice readily available.
LookingLocal's apps make job-hunting and a range of other services straightforward and convenient and I know they will be appreciated by our communities."
The apps are free to download from the i-tunes app store for iOS phones and from the Google Play store for android phones - simply search for Plus Dane Group.
LookingLocal is owned and managed by Kirklees Council. Its website address is www.lookinglocal.gov.uk
