Bridging the Generation App

Teesside University Honorary Graduate and technology entrepreneur Steve Purdham and his WE7 partner, Gareth Reakes, have joined forces to launch a new online service that aims to bring families closer together.

The result is simple technology which connects the unconnected ageing parents to their internet enabled families.

In the days before mobile phones, giving someone three rings was a 'code' to let families communicate all was well. 3rings Care ltd is bringing that code back but this time for the internet generation.

Elderly users receive or make a call to the 3rings automated service using their traditional landline. This then automatically contacts the network of family or friends using an app, SMS, email or calls, to let them know they are OK each day and more importantly, alert them if no contact is made.

Despite there being more forms of communication available than ever, the older generation are often excluded from the latest technologies. Combined with the ever-increasing pace of life and living increased distances away, many families are unaware of how ageing loved ones are at any one time.

The initial design for 3rings used an array of sensors within the home to build patterns of 'normality' so that anything unusual would be flagged and families alerted. But for the older audience, introducing new technology within the home was deemed a barrier to entry so the pair decided to go back to the basic concept of the three rings code, which worked purely with a traditional telephone.

3rings has been developed as a cloud-based service allowing the company to scale easily in the future. Available online at 3rings.co.uk with free apps for IOS and android, there are two paid-for services and a free trial.

The inspiration for 3rings came from Gareth’s grandmother Vera and Steve’s mum Iris. Steve explained: 'We wanted to create a simple solution which answered the question, 'are my ageing parents okay today?'.

3rings removes the need for installing any technical equipment into the home of the elderly relative, relying instead on the familiar telephone which makes it easy to use. 3rings then bridges to the internet to communicate to family members using apps, email or text – methods that are now commonplace across a family’s demographic.”

The UK target is 100,000 families using the service, before the company looks to expand into other regions. 3rings expects the primary audience to be women, who normally take responsibility for checking in on family members. Investment has been provided by the three founders; Steve Purdham, Gareth Reakes and Julie Purdham.

Steve added: '3rings isn't meant to be a replacement for personal calls and visits but helps ease the worry and spread responsibility between family members. Trials have shown families actually call each other more now, as the daily reminders mean family is always front of mind. We strongly believe that simple ideas can be transformational and this offering can be a catalyst for the changing family care of ageing parents in the UK.'

The service is available online at 3rings.co.uk with free apps for IOS and android. There are two paid-for services (£5.99/month and £9.99/month) and a free trial available.

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