A Cumbrian company which develops technology to maintain contact with tens of thousands of older and vulnerable people to help combat social isolation has been presented with its second national award in two months.

Alertacall was presented with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in April.

The company has offices in Windermere, Kendal and Warrington, employing over 100 people across Cumbria and the North West.

They have been named Supplier of the Year 2023 at the Northern Housing Awards.

The awards are one of the biggest ceremonies in the social housing calendar in the UK, attended by more than 600 people

Alertacall pioneered the OKEachDay service, allowing people to press a button on a digital touchscreen each day to let the team know they are OK.

If people do not press the button, a member of Alertacall’s highly trained, friendly team will get in touch to talk to the person and check if they need any help.

If necessary, they will also contact housing provider staff, family members, or even emergency services in critical circumstances.

Alertacall works in partnership with nearly 60 housing organisations, including some of the biggest housing providers in the country, the largest of which has 230,000 properties.

Housing providers can use the touchscreen to communicate with people and provide news and updates. Residents can also use it to make video calls, report repairs, take part in surveys and communicate with their landlord. 

Entries to the Northern Housing Awards are scrutinised by an independent panel of judges and attract entries from hundreds of companies working in housing across the region.

James Batchelor, the founder of Alertacall, said: “Despite there being more and more ways for us to keep in touch these days, loneliness and isolation are still a massive issue for many people. This comes at a cost to their mental and physical health and to our wider society as a whole. Social housing providers are also under a great deal of pressure to keep in better contact with their customers.

“Our service uses easy to use technology to help maintain a basic need - regular contact with other human beings. It keeps tens of thousands of people safe, connected and informed who could otherwise risk becoming isolated and disconnected.

“This award is more well-deserved recognition of the work our fantastic team does every day to go above and beyond and do what is right for our customers all over the country. It’s for them.”

In Cumbria, Alertacall works with Fairoak Housing Association, in Kendal, which provides supported accommodation for people with higher needs, as well as Women Out West which provides support services to women on the Cumbrian Coast.

Lisa Chant, CEO of Fairoak Housing, said: "It's fabulous that Alertacall have won this award, we have worked with them for several years and have always found that they go above and beyond for us and all the customers we serve.”

The Northern Housing Awards were held at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford, on May 2.