Empowering Neurodiverse Communities in Dorset: Transforming Lives with Digital Health Apps

Empowering Neurodiverse Communities in Dorset: Transforming Lives with Digital Health Apps

In Dorset, neurodiverse individuals face unique challenges when it comes to accessing health and wellbeing resources. These challenges can include communication barriers, sensory sensitivities, and difficulties navigating traditional healthcare services. Recognising the need for more inclusive and accessible solutions, Dorset’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) took the initiative to explore how digital health apps could provide targeted support.

Estimating the exact number of neurodivergent individuals in Dorset is challenging due to the broad spectrum of conditions encompassed by neurodiversity and the variability in diagnosis and reporting. National estimates suggest that approximately 10% of the population is neurodivergent, encompassing conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. publichealthdorset.org.uk

Applying this national estimate to Dorset’s population of approximately 800,000 residents, it can be inferred that around 80,000 individuals may be neurodivergent. However, some sources suggest that the prevalence could be higher, with estimates up to 14% of the population.

Given these figures, it is crucial to ensure a comprehensive and diverse range of support services tailored to meet the needs of this community.

With this in mind the primary goal was clear: to harness technology to create practical tools that improve the daily lives of neurodiverse individuals. By providing easy-to-use, inclusive digital resources, the initiative sought to enhance independence and empower individuals to take charge of their health and wellbeing with confidence. The approach prioritised usability and long-term engagement, fostering greater autonomy and inclusion.

Dorset’s strategy focused on delivering solutions that address the most pressing challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals, such as managing anxiety, improving sleep, building routines, and enhancing social skills. The key objectives were:

  • Providing Accessible Tools: Offering a selection of evidence-based, user-friendly digital apps tailored to neurodiverse needs
  • Improving Outcomes: Supporting better mental health, emotional wellbeing, and daily functioning.
  • Raising Awareness: Educating families, carers, and healthcare providers about the value of digital tools in supporting neurodiverse communities.
  • Ensuring Quality: Continuously evaluating app effectiveness and relevance through user feedback and data to meet evolving needs.

Over the past year, Dorset has seen significant progress in supporting neurodiverse communities with digital health tools. More than 500 neurodiversity-related apps have been downloaded, showcasing the growing trust in these solutions. Popular choices such as Inflow ADHDBrain in Hand, and Focus@Will are amongst those that have been utilised. Some of the benefits associated with these apps include;

  1. Boosting Independence: Many users have gained confidence in managing their daily lives with less reliance on external support.
  2. Enhancing Emotional Wellbeing: Apps designed to reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation have had a noticeable impact on mental health.
  3. Improving Productivity and Focus: Tools like Focus@Will have helped users excel in educational and professional settings.
  4. Establishing Routines: Apps such as Brain in Hand have enabled individuals to build and maintain effective daily habits, reducing overwhelm.
  5. Fostering Inclusion: By addressing core challenges, these tools have allowed users to engage more fully in community, education, and work environments.

Dorset’s initiative demonstrates the transformative power of digital health apps in supporting neurodiverse individuals. By providing tailored, accessible tools, this program has improved mental health, independence, and quality of life for many. With continued adoption and expansion, digital health technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive and empowered community across Dorset, setting an example for how other regions can follow suit.

The success in Dorset shows the incredible potential of digital health apps to transform lives. If you’re part of the NHS and want to explore running a similar project in your region—or address another priority area using digital health tools—we’re here to help contact us at hello@orchahealth.com.

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Say Hello to the Relaunched Mind App Library – Powered by ORCHA!

Say Hello to the Relaunched Mind App Library – Powered by ORCHA!

We’re thrilled to share the news: Mind app library is back and better than ever! This exciting relaunch comes with the support of Mind, the UK’s leading mental health charity. Did you know that one in four people in the UK face a mental health challenge each year? That’s a lot of people who need reliable and accessible support—and we’re here to make sure they get it.

With mental health concerns on the rise, it’s clear how vital it is to have help right at your fingertips. Digital health tools are stepping up in a big way, and the Mind app library is here to make it super easy for anyone to find trusted, effective apps to boost their mental health.

Here’s how it works: at ORCHA, we team up with app developers and suppliers to ensure every app in the library is top-notch. These apps go through a rigorous review process, including the Mind Assessment, to make sure they’re safe, effective, and of the highest quality.

Now for the fun part—here are just a few of the awesome apps you’ll find in the Mind app library:

  • Eating Disorder Support
  • Young Carer Support
  • Holly Health
  • Student Health App
  • Qwell
  • Kooth

These apps cover a variety of mental health needs, so whether you’re a student, a young carer, or looking for specialized support, there’s something for everyone.

Our mission is simple: to give everyone the tools they need for their mental health journey. With the relaunched Mind app library, finding help has never been easier. Together with Mind and our app partners, we’re building a future where support is always just a tap away, click here to access Mind app library

Let’s make mental health support accessible for everyone—because a healthier, happier world starts with you. 💙

If you’re a supplier and would like to discuss your app featuring on the Mind app library, please contact us at suppliersuccess@orchahealth.com

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The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) Unveils Badge Recognition for Mental Health App Developers

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) Unveils Badge Recognition for Mental Health App Developers

ORCHA (The Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps) is thrilled to announce that the first cohort of mental health apps assessed with the MHCC Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps will now carry a distinct badge symbolizing their achievement for meeting high standards of data, privacy, clinical evidence, usability, accessibility and cultural safety.

This recognition marks a significant milestone in MHCC’s commitment to enhancing digital mental health solutions for people in Canada.

This announcement is the result of more than 2.5 years of dedicated work, during which the MHCC has developed a national digital mental health assessment and evaluation framework. ORCHA, a proud partner in this evaluation process, played a vital role in assessing these digital mental health tools with the MHCC Assessment Framework.

This framework provides a robust and efficient method to rigorously assess digital mental health tools, ensuring they meet essential requirements across key areas. By doing so, MHCC is helping to instill trust across the digital mental health ecosystem, allowing people in Canada to have confidence in the tools they choose to support their mental health and well-being.

Products that pass the assessment will be listed in the MHCC Mental Health Apps Repository. This internal portal serves as a central hub for collaborators, such as providers and policymakers, to explore and adopt assessed digital mental health technologies.

MHCC assessed apps will be made available to the public via provincial app libraries with some provinces soon. The MHCC is also planning the launch of a national mental health app library in 2025.

The first batch of assessed products includes:

For more information on how to get involved or to learn more about the MHCC Assessment Framework for Mental Health Apps, please contact: Jack Hewitt at ‘jack.hewitt@orchahealth.com’ or Sapna Wadhawan at swadhawan@mentalhealthcommission.ca.

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Senior Digital Health Assessor & Domain Lead, Justine Coburn, and her experience with the fantastic Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

Senior Digital Health Assessor & Domain Lead, Justine Coburn, and her experience with the fantastic Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

Let’s hear from Justine about her experience with Dexcoms Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems…

Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to test some of Dexcom’s Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGM) as part of my work assessing the functionality, clinical assurance, data privacy and usability & accessibility of digital health technologies.

Though I don’t have diabetes myself, I was impressed at how straightforward the system was to set up and use. The sensor was easy to use and insert, with minimal discomfort to no pain and the app set up was a breeze for both the iOS and the Android versions. Alternatively, if using a smartphone is out of the question, Dexcom offer an optional receiver that seamlessly connects to the device and displays your data. The simple interface of the app and the customisable alerts ensure a streamlined user experience. Once I got to work on the assessment, I forgot it was even on my arm!

It was clear from the moment I began the different assessments how intuitive and rigorously tested these CGM systems are. Research has shown that continuous glucose monitoring with Dexcom can lead to significant improvements in diabetes management such as an increased time in range, improvements in hypoglycaemia, reduced HbA1c levels and positive changes in diabetes self-management.

Having family members who suffer with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, I couldn’t help but reflect on how a tool like this could make a huge difference to their lives and shake the burden of constant finger pricks and manual blood glucose monitoring. I have seen firsthand the complications and issues that arise with unmonitored diabetes, but with a system like Dexcom, the heavy weight is lifted, and it allows patients to take proactive control in monitoring their diabetes. The ability to monitor glucose levels seamlessly and in real-time offers the potential for better self-management, reduced stress and an improved quality of life for people who must carefully manage their diabetes 24/7.

Our CEO, Liz Ashall-Payne also lives with Type 1 diabetes and shares her experience; “As someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for a long time, I’ve become accustomed to using technology to manage my condition day-to-day. What’s particularly interesting is how my use of technology has evolved over time. Yes, advancements in products have played a role, but equally important are the changes in my own needs and preferences.”

For example, when I was newly diagnosed, my focus was on gaining information and education to understand and manage my diabetes. During pregnancy, my needs shifted to more specialized support for that specific stage of life. Now, I rely on data dashboards to track trends and make informed decisions. Having access to a variety of tools that I can tailor to my current needs and preferences is absolutely invaluable—it empowers me to manage my diabetes in a way that works best for me at every stage of my journey.’

My experience as an outsider trying out some of Dexcom’s different CGM systems has given me a deeper appreciation for the role health technology has in our lives and the potential ability to empower patients to take control of their health. Dexcom’s suite of CGM systems are designed to cater to all patient demographics for users with differing needs. Clarity also provides remote monitoring for clinicians looking to implement scalable technology into their clinical workflows. By providing real-time data and actionable insights, it supports personalised care, enhances patient engagement and streamlines patient populations.

Written by Justine Coburn, Senior Digital Health Assessor & Domain Lead

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