Devon may already have the foundations of a true digital front door for neighbourhood health.
Originally launched as a free community directory, Devon Connect is now demonstrating how local digital infrastructure can support prevention, wellbeing and social connection at scale.
Since its launch, the platform has generated over 1 million unique page views, attracted 5,622 registered members, listed 4,486 community activities, facilitated 3,455 connections to services, and delivered more than £750,000 in measured social value.
But the most important stats are probably these:
- 65% of activities support social connection and help reduce loneliness.
- 36% support physical health and promote healthier lifestyles.
This is prevention in practice - happening every day through communities, not clinics. *
Our search data also shows what residents need most: local support, volunteering, SEND services, mental health help and accessible community opportunities.
The next opportunity?
In the last few weeks, we've been helping the Devon Connect team put a proposal together that, if approved, will see:
- Deeper integration across NHS, councils and the VCSE sector.
- Seamless, joined-up referrals into community-based support.
- Smarter use of real-time demand and insight data.
- A single, trusted digital front door for neighbourhood health and wellbeing.
Many places are still designing neighbourhood health models.
Devon has arguably already built one through grassroots partnership working.
* Note: Only 6% of services relate to accessing healthcare. This likely reflects the platform’s current primary focus on community-based prevention and wellbeing, rather than direct clinical service provision.