Funded by the Government of Jersey and delivered by Digital Jersey, the ‘CareTech Challenge’ was launched in autumn last year, offering a total of up to £2m in grant funding to innovators who could develop solutions aimed at improving the lives of older people and delivering long-term, high-quality care through the smart use of technology.
After a rigorous assessment of all received bids, undertaken by an independent panel of Jersey-based and off-island judges, shortlisted applicants were interviewed in late 2024 before successful bids were ultimately approved, with the first three successful proposals as follows:
- Orchid Connect: Orchid Connect is an innovative hybrid care service designed to empower older adults to live independently for longer. Orchid’s solution integrates IoT sensors, intelligent insights, and user-friendly tools to transform how care is delivered – taking a proactive approach rather than focusing on reactive alarms, helping carers and families respond before problems escalate.
- Lifestyle Medicine: a Jersey-based initiative, Lifestyle Medicine is launching the Hero of Health Jersey App to transform the way older adults live, connect, and thrive in their communities. The App connects users to local services, guiding them to the right support, whilst also providing access to online resources and in-person coaching. With Impact Jersey’s funding, the App will be rolled out across the island, starting with GP surgeries, Jersey General Hospital, and voluntary services.
- Good Boost: Good Boost aims to transform community spaces across Jersey into hubs for healthy ageing, mobility and independence. Its approach blends innovative technology with local expertise, leveraging AI to deliver personalised rehabilitation, pre-habilitation, and prevention programmes. With Impact Jersey funding, Good Boost plans to establish a network of rehabilitation hubs, reaching thousands of older adults.
Commenting on the successful bids, Tony Moretta, CEO, Digital Jersey, said: “These three successful projects are a reflection of the power of the Impact Jersey initiative, to bring leading minds together to implement tech-driven solutions that can improve the lives of islanders – in this case the care of older people in our community. I’m really excited by the impact these projects will have in terms of providing support to older people, their families and our healthcare professionals in Jersey.”
Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, added: “In 15 years’ time the number of over 65s will increase by 30%, while the working-age population will fall by 10%, if Jersey’s population remains unchanged. These CareTech Challenge projects are extremely important ways in which we are addressing the challenges which this ageing demography will bring. I’m delighted that these initial projects, which all blend cutting-edge technology with a clear understanding of our specific community needs, have been given the opportunity to make a real difference as part of our long-term healthcare strategy.”
More about Impact Jersey, including past and current programmes, can be found here.
