Women at the Islington Bangladesh Association are using their smartphones to stay healthy
We visited the Hugh Cubitt Community Centre to ask women from the Bangladeshi community what they can do now with their smartphones that they couldn't do before, as a result of taking part in a recent Healthwatch project.
Most owned a smartphone, but did not know how to use it well. Through participating in the Log On project, they learned how to use their smartphones to get online and discover a range of health and wellbeing resources, as well as using online GP services to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions.
Why has the project been so useful?
Feedback was very positive. It's not always easy to get through to your GP on the phone to book an appointment, so having an online option can save a lot of time. It can also be an easier option if English isn't your first language.
The project has increased awareness of local health services, and of low cost ways of looking after your own health, such as keep fit classes. We hope it will also help to combat social isolation and loneliness.
Which organisations are involved?
The Log On project is a partnership between Healthwatch, the mobile phone network provider 3, and six local organisations representing communities in Islington where English isn't the main spoken language. Contact Maria at Healthwatch Islington for more information.
The Log On project received funding from National Lottery Awards for All and Cloudesley.
