Connecting people, communities and services in Warrington.
Living Well Warrington promotes health and wellbeing across Warrington by encouraging people to make connections and self-care, based on what's important to them.
In 2023, Warrington’s community partners set out to find a technology provider to help create a platform that would complement the physical Living Well Hub in the centre of town. After a thorough selection process, they chose Made Open to develop Living Well Warrington, which launched to the public in March 2025.
The challenge: a growing demand for community-led support
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in demand for health and care services, exacerbated by workforce shortages and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
With Public Health England data indicating that Warrington residents typically spend 16 years in poor health, a new approach was needed - one that emphasised prevention, early intervention and community-led support.
The Living Well initiative aims to:
- Foster a social movement that shifts cultural attitudes towards health and wellbeing.
- Build a widely recognised brand that engages residents and partners.
- Reduce long-term dependency on statutory services while strengthening personal and community resilience.
To achieve these objectives, Living Well required a robust digital solution that would serve as the “go-to” resource for local health and wellbeing services, activities and support.
Our solution: Made Open’s community platform
Our software emerged as the ideal foundation for the Living Well Warrington platform. Our tech not only met the project’s functional requirements but also aligned with the strategic vision of Warrington’s health and wellbeing partners.
As Stephen Bennett, Head of Strategy & Partnerships at NHS Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals, noted:
Made Open’s software gives us pretty much everything we are looking for but, more importantly, the Made Open team are a perfect fit in terms of sharing our local vision and values. Their open and honest approach, and their willingness to listen, learn and adapt, means that our platform will be highly valuable to our local communities.
Key features of the Living Well Warrington platform include:
A comprehensive directory
Connecting residents with services, events and support networks tailored to their needs.
Targeted resources
Specialised content for high-risk groups, ensuring early intervention and proactive support.
Self-service tools
Helping residents take control of their health and wellbeing, based on what's important to them.
Support for Healthcare
Features to assist healthcare professionals in signposting and referrals.
Community connections
Digital spaces where residents can find their “tribe” and combat isolation.
Social impact reports
Evaluating the positive changes the Living Well platform has to made to the local area.
The co-design process
A crucial aspect of the platform’s development was its co-design process, involving key stakeholders from various sectors, including local government, NHS partners, voluntary organisations and social care professionals.
During a design workshop and subsequent 1-2-1's facilitated by our founder Robert Woolf, participants identified essential themes for the platform:
- Prevention and early intervention: Reducing crisis interventions by prioritising mental health, loneliness and poverty.
- Accessibility and inclusivity: Ensuring a broad reach while providing targeted support for those at higher risk.
- User-friendly navigation: Implementing flexible search categories and a prominent search bar for ease of use.
- Brand identity and trust: Establishing Living Well as a reliable, empowering and community-driven resource.
- Future innovation: Exploring AI, expanded stakeholder involvement and personalised user experiences.
Looking ahead
The launch of the Living Well Warrington platform marks just the beginning of an evolving digital ecosystem designed to support Warrington’s residents.
With the foundation laid by our software, future developments will include additional tools for professionals, enhanced personalisation features and expanded community partnerships.
Living Well Warrington’s collaborative approach - powered by our flexible and community-centric technology - sets a benchmark for how digital innovation can drive meaningful change in public health and wellbeing.
By prioritising connections, self-empowerment and proactive support, the platform aims to make lasting improvements in the lives of local residents, reducing reliance on crisis services and fostering a culture of prevention and resilience.
Our strategic vision in Warrington is to create a “go to” digital platform for residents to find information and service offers that reflects their individual health and wellbeing needs. Our partners unanimously chose Made Open from a shortlist of potential providers.
Stephen Bennett, Head of Strategy & Partnerships, NHS Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals
I have been truly impressed by Made Open’s dedication to co-designing innovative digital solutions that make a real difference. Living Well Warrington is more than an online platform - it’s a catalyst for change and strengthens our ability to work together as an integrated health and wellbeing support system.
Rachel Moran, Strategic Project Manager, NHS Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals
In summary...
The partnership between Living Well Warrington and Made Open exemplifies the power of co-creation in community health initiatives.
By aligning technology with a shared vision of empowerment, inclusivity and accessibility, this collaboration is paving the way for a more connected and resilient Warrington.
