The Inside Housing Innovation Week Award recognises a social housing organisation using technology and the Internet of Things to improve lives, solve problems and deliver genuine benefits to communities. The winner receives £10,000 to support the initiative.

Thorngate Churcher Trust has reached the shortlist for our plans to use fire sensors to monitor health and wellbeing.

Falling is a key cause of injury, loss of independence and mortality in the over-65s. At Thorngate Churcher Trust, staff would like to investigate using fire sensors to help reduce the risk of falls among the residents. The devices have infrared temperature sensors as well as a connection to the internet, so the hope is that as well as protecting against fire they could be used to help monitor and support wellbeing. Data from the sensors would be pulled together in software which allowed staff to react to trends and offer support before problems occur.

You can vote for us here