‘Compassionate tech’ aids fight against social problems

The UK’s “compassionate technology” sector is bigger than that of the rest of Europe combined, new research suggests.

Companies working in the sector use technology to support vulnerable people, such as those suffering from loneliness, poor mental health or inadequate social care. According to Public, an organisation which supports tech start-ups in the UK, it’s a business worth £7bn in Britain alone.

Examples of compassionate tech in practice include Beam, a company founded by entrepreneur Alex Stephany. Beam uses social media to find sponsors and match them with homeless people in need of help. It’s not a charity, and for every £10 it receives, it uses £1 which to fund its operation and pay salaries for staff.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

One of its beneficiaries, Davina, who had been homeless for seven years, is now “training to become an accountant” after Beam raised £2,320 for her in just nine days, the BBC reports.

Other compassionate tech firms include No Isolation, which designs computer technology that helps elderly people to stay in touch with relatives and friends, and GP at Hand, which seeks to ease the burden on the NHS by helping people book appointments on smartphones.

Take our survey for your chance to win £100 John Lewis vouchers