Get There Together: a Resource to Support the People of Wales to Access their Communities

This is a National project with multiple partners across Wales.

The free App offers an updated library of videos that continue to have relevance post-pandemic. Users of the App are able to download & view these resources on or offline. Additionally, users & their supporters can create their own digital stories, (with simple guided steps that are built into the app), to have personalised content tailored to individual needs for activities and routines. A Day Planner enables multiple videos to be saved and organised in a series to plan tasks such as preparing for a day out. The app is bilingual, providing materials in both Welsh and English. It  is Certified by The Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA). This shows we are following good practice and meeting standards including: UK GDPR, clinical safety, and usability. The App received an assessment score of 81% (<60% is required to achieve certification).

Videos continue to be developed and added to the Get There Together library.  An evaluation form is built into the app; we continue to learn and be informed by our users.

The app is available from the App Store on iOS devices, and Google Play Store on android devices:

Android

Apple

If you would like to view the video resources online, please search Dewis using #GetThereTogether

Key Outcomes:

During the pandemic, over 100 videos were freely available, many highlighting COVID-19 safety measures, such as hand sanitiser points and social distancing measures. The video pages were viewed <1.2 million times over a 12-month period.

“The Get There Together resources are a much-needed helping hand to guide us with familiarity and clarity of surroundings and environments that are part of our daily lives. Many of us have been isolated and impacted by the pandemic, with a loss of routine and connection, and Get There Together provides us with insight and increased motivation to re-engage into community life.”

Carer Ceri Higgins is a member of Lleisiau Dementia, an independent group led by people living with dementia and carers, giving a voice to people living with dementia in Wales.

“This has been a fantastic opportunity to ensure that we support those living with dementia and their carers in Gwent. I feel privileged to be part of a project that has involved meaningful partnership working with various sectors and carers from the outset. Led proficiently by the Policy and Project Officer, Natasha Harris, all partners in Gwent were enabled to fully embrace this initiative, engage with ongoing dialogue, be involved in joint decision making which in turn led to a commitment to create, innovate and improve service provision.”

Naheed Ashraf, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

“There has always been a fundamental link between housing and health which has just been further highlighted by the pandemic. With a safe home can come everything else and as a housing association we will continue to work with health organisations to keep our residents feeling safe not only in their homes, but within the communities that they live. This project has enabled us to develop links within our communities to provide accessible information to some of society’s most vulnerable.”

Holly McAnoy, Taff Housing

“The value of Get There Together in involving local groups to tackle the problems that Covid has raised in isolating people, is far reaching beyond the pandemic. So many people experienced loneliness and isolation prior to this. Get There Together identifies how we can help and address the different needs within local communities and support people living with dementia. It raises the profile of what we can do in terms of helping people return to the outdoors, help individuals become more confident, regain skills and become less anxious about getting out and participating in everyday activities. This initiative is vital to help people who have dementia and other vulnerable groups re-develop a sense of meaning and purpose in life, (where the pandemic may have taken this away), improve their physical and mental wellbeing and inspire others to do the same.”

Dr Jane Mullins, Awen Institute

The Get There Together App has been designed with experts with experience of dementia, and their feedback was used to make changes to the app during the design and development process.

What people are saying about the Get There Together App

“I think this is fantastic.. I’ve shared it around our organisation to promote in our various projects, I am positive there will be lots of use and benefit.”

Rachel

“This looks great – it’s a resource that will help very many people.”

Sion

“I believe this app could be incredibly beneficial for many people with dementia, as well as those facing challenges due to learning disabilities, neurodivergence, or mental health issues.”

Ana

“The App will help so many people – those living with dementia, families, carers and other health care professionals to navigate information and provide invaluable support – a much needed resource”

Jackie Pottle, Wales National Allied Health Professions lead for Palliative and End of life care

“The app is a really innovative way of providing reassurance to people who want to engage with their community but may become overwhelmed. I like the way it also allows the person to add in their own planned activities which is only visible to them, it allows personalisation. This will be so helpful for people that just need a little help with planning and problem solving to have something they can refer to and steps to follow.”

Clare Noble, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist

Some Examples of our Resources:

Showcase: