In this latest episode of the COSIE Homes Healthier podcast, Sarah Levett, Head of Marketing at IoT Solutions Group, interviews Lewis Sheldrake (Lead Commissioner for Innovation and Personalisation at London Borough of Barking and Dagenham) to discuss his opinions and experiences on the potential impact of technology and data for housing and health services.

The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of technology-enabled care and its intersections with the housing sector.

With a background in the military and extensive experience in local government, Lewis emphasises the role of technology in enhancing public services and improving residents' lives. He highlights the potential for technologies, such as sensors and smart devices like DORIS care and COSIE homes, to provide proactive support and personalised interventions for individuals, ultimately contributing to healthier housing and improved wellbeing.

One key takeaway from the discussion is the importance of trust and transparency when implementing technology-enabled solutions in the housing and health sectors. Lewis emphasises the need for residents to understand the benefits of such technologies and feel confident in how their data is utilised. Building trust and ensuring clear communication about the purpose and benefits of these technologies is essential for successful implementation.

The conversation also addresses the challenges and opportunities in retrofitting existing housing stock with suitable technologies and ensuring interoperability across different devices. Lewis stresses the need for a holistic approach to public service delivery, aligning housing design with residents' health and wellbeing needs and the benefits of personalising technology solutions to cater to individual preferences and needs.

Overall, the discussion between Lewis and Sarah highlights the potential for technology to significantly create warmer, drier, and healthier homes for residents. By embracing a proactive and personalised approach, leveraging data insights, and fostering trust and transparency, the housing sector can harness the power of technology to improve living conditions and support residents' well-being.

The evolving landscape of technology-enabled care presents exciting opportunities for the future of housing and health services and for delivering positive outcomes for both residents and housing providers.

Listen to Lewis' Healthier Housing Podcast episode on Spotify now.

Prefer video? You can also watch the conversation with Lewis on YouTube now.