Smartline Conference 2022 : A new vision for health and housing

Our conference, A New Vision for Health and Housing - was a chance to share the latest Smartline research, hear from two brilliant guest speakers and point to future directions.

Data and digital in the housing sector 

Opening the conference, George Grant - CEO, Broadcaster, Publisher & Founder - Housing Technology, shared the headlines from their recently published annual report, E-State of Housing 2022/23. He highlighted data, digital and decarbonisation as key issues for the housing sector – issues where Smartline has a lot to offer.  

• Watch George Grant’s keynote below:

Above: George Grant - CEO, Broadcaster, Publisher & Founder - Housing Technology

• Hear how Smartline has been using sensor technology to improve housing management and customer support:

Above: Joy Ashman, Housing Strategy, Partnerships & Engagement Officer, Cornwall Council with Dr Tamaryn Menneer, Dr Tim Walker, Dr Richard Woods, Research Fellows, University of Exeter and Anthony Ball, Public Health Practitioner Wider Determinants & Fuel Poverty, Cornwall Council.

Closing the digital divide  

Our second keynote speaker, Helen Milner OBE, is Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation, a national charity working to improve lives through digital inclusion. Helen shared important statistics from their annual ‘Digital Nation’ summary of digital inclusion and exclusion in the UK which painted a vivid picture of the challenges faced by many people not just in accessing the internet (including difficulty affording it), but in having the motivation, confidence and skills to use digital in their day-to-day life. While more people went online during the pandemic, digital engagement fell for some groups. In Helen’s words, “During the pandemic, the digital divide did narrow, but it also deepened.” 

• Watch Helen Milner’s keynote:

Above: Keynote. Helen Milner OBE, Chief Executive, Good Things Foundation

Supporting business innovation & community impact  

• See how Smartline support helped two Cornish businesses:

Above: Julian Bose, Director, Inspire. Dadpad

• Hear how Smartline has been working with the local community:

Above: Karen Spooner, Volunteer Cornwall

Why is this important? 

More than ten years ago, Professor Sir Michael Marmot’s landmark report explored health inequalities; his recent update highlighted the role of housing in people’s physical and mental health. As the recent case of Awaab Ishak has so tragically highlighted, the home environment has an important impact on our health and wellbeing. The two-year-old died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home.  

Smartline has aimed to play a role in tackling these issues. Our unique and longstanding cross-sector collaboration has offered a window into the home, highlighting the potential (and the challenges!) of using digital technology and working with the complex reality of people’s lives. At a time when housing faces more scrutiny than ever, the NHS is under more pressure than ever, and the climate challenge is more urgent than ever, the conference could not have been timelier.   

Smartline Director Associate Prof. Emma Bland sets the scene:

Above: Associate Professor, Emma Bland, Smartline Project

Expert panel discusses future directions:

Above: Tracey Roose, CEO, Age UK Cornwall & Isles of Scilly (Chair). Mark England, Head of Innovation, Maintenance and Group Procurement, Coastline Housing. Chris Jones, CEO, HomeLINK. Prof. Karyn Morrissey, Technical University of Denmark Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive, Good Things Foundation