StartHere
The College of Medicine is delighted to be working with charity, StartHere, as their comprehensive one-stop information shop for both public and professionals enters its final stages of development.
This is a self-help, electronic signposting service built around the needs of the user. It provides an accessible, easy to use starting point for anyone looking for information on health, housing, education, employment, welfare and social issues.
We are currently able to offer CoM members unlimited access to this exciting 'Work In Progress' as it expands to provide details of every national and local support organisation in England.
What is StartHere?
StartHere is an independent national charity that provides an innovative information service. This connects people to vital help and support in times of transition, crisis or distress, signposting them to the organisation (local or national; statutory or charitable) most relevant to their need.
This national and local database of support organisations and services plays a critical role in helping people across a wide range of issues including health, social care, work, education, money, benefits. StartHere’s award winning applications run on all major digital platforms including web, mobile, TV and kiosks.
The charity works with local authorities, primary care trusts, and other public and voluntary sector organisations to improve access to information and services, especially for socially disadvantaged and digitally excluded groups and has provided a range of bespoke solutions. Clients include Citizens Advice, WRVS, Shaw Trust, Patient Opinion and Age UK.
The services are based on four key principles
• Simple to use and highly accessible
• Reliable and up-to-date content
• Intuitive signposting to local and national, statutory and charitable organisations
• Independent from and complementary to existing online public services
Who is it for?
The information is designed to be accessible to everybody - especially those who might be digitally excluded or vulnerable, and the organisations supporting them. The Department of Health recognises the need for a joined-up information system. Since April 2008 StartHere has been working with NHS Choices to deliver the service in a number of local community settings including prisons, community centres, Citizens Advice Bureaux and Ministry of Defence HIVE information centres.
StartHere in action
StartHere was commissioned by the Royal British Legion to provide a bespoke database targeted at veterans and their families. The service has averaged 4,000 hits per month and identified a real need for access to information on issues such as homelessness, finding a job, mental health, disability equipment and benefits.
'Having access to the right information in times of crisis can transform people's lives. StartHere plays a crucial role in connecting the Armed Forces, Veterans and their families to vital support quickly and simply.'
Harvey Tilley, Head of Community Services, The Royal British Legion