Making sure people have the right information at their fingertips, North Tyneside Council and its partners have created a free app.
Launched this week, the SIGN North Tyneside app has been developed to guide people to the right organisation to assist with their health and social care queries, or with more general help they may need from other services.
Established in 2012, SIGN – which stands for ‘signposting, information and guidance network’ – is a network of community and voluntary sector organisations.
They help residents with a range of issues, which among others, include making sure they access the right services, signpost people to take part in activities, offer support so they can continue to live at home, and advice with finance, housing and heating issues.
And the new app, which is compatible with smartphones and tablets, has been designed to make it even easier for people to find what they’re looking for.
It has been made possible thanks to funding from the North Tyneside Strategic Partnership (NTSP).
Welcoming the news, North Tyneside Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn, who also chairs the NTSP, said: “SIGN has been a great way to signpost people to the right organisation or to help them with the information they need.
“However, it’s important we make sure the information is available in different formats and that we try different ways of helping our residents, so as many people as possible can access the right information.
“With a click of a button and by following a few easy steps, the app allows people to find out for themselves who can help with their query.”
One of the organisations represented on the network and involved in the development of the app is North Tyneside Citizens Advise Bureau.
Its Chief Executive Mark Almond added: “This app enables people to get the help they need, when they need it, how they need it. It is a great example of embracing new technology and creating smarter collaboration between the voluntary sector and North Tyneside Council.”
The app has been developed by OnTechnology.
It can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play, Blackberry World and Microsoft App Store for Windows. Just search for ‘SIGN.NT’.