Join Social Innovation Camp and the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) for an afternoon of thinking about how we can use technology to tackle social isolation.

You don't need to know anything about technology to take part; just an interest in the social issues associated with loneliness and isolation.

It's a chance to find out a bit more about how you can get involved in our forcoming Social Innovation Camp in Edinburgh, June 2011.

Sign up to get involved or read on for further details....

Tackling social isolation

Most of us have been lonely at some point or other.

Whilst this is a normal part of life at times, for those who become truly socially isolated the effects can have serious impacts on physical and mental well-being: Studies have shown that the physical risk associated with social isolation is comparable with that of cigarette smoking, for example.

Isolation affects a huge range of people - from older people to the young, those who are disabled or unemployed, immigrants, single parents and care workers, who - whilst their job may be focused on reducing the isolation of another - may become isolated themselves. Isolation impacts of all our of mental health and well-being.

How technology can help

Simple web and mobile tools are great at connecting people in new ways and on their own terms. They can empower people to take more control of their lives by providing new ways of organising, mobilising and communicating.

Services such as Meetup, Netmums, Tyze, and the Good Gym are already leading the way – but we think there’s more that technology could offer.

So, with the help of the IRISS, we're running a Social Innovation Camp to help find and build new ideas that use simple web and mobile tools to tackle social isolation.

A bit about Social Innovation Camp

Over one weekend from 17th-19th June 2011, we’re bringing together some of the best of the UK’s software developers and designers with those at the sharp end of social problems at the Informatics Ventures Forum in Edinburgh.

Their mission will be to turn six back-of-the-envelope ideas that could change the world into social start-ups in under 48 hours – complete with working software.

Founded in early 2008, Social Innovation Camp Ltd is a launchpad and accelerator for technology-based social ventures.

www.sicamp.org

A bit about IRISS

For our fifth Social Innovation Camp, we’re excited to be working with the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) to help find ideas focused on using web and mobile tools to help tackle social isolation.

IRISS supports Scotland’s social services workforce to deliver better and more innovative outcomes for the people who use services.

Based in central Glasgow, the organisation works in partnership across Scotland with local authorities, the NHS, voluntary organisations, private sector providers, people who use services and carers to deliver projects, training, events and resources to enhance the capacity and capabilities of the workforce and transform the sector.

www.iriss.org.uk/