Learn more about using Near Me in housing services
Our Near Me in Housing webinar will take place on 8 February. Ahead of the session, SFHA’s Near Me in Housing Project Lead, Fiona McCrae, talks about Near Me Video Appointments and the opportunities for housing associations and co-operatives.
By Fiona McCrae, Near Me in Housing Project Lead
SFHA is hosting a webinar which will look at the benefits of using Near Me Video Appointments and how you can implement it within your organisation with the help of the NHS Near Me team.
The webinar will also hear from Money Advice Scotland which adopted the video consulting service during the pandemic.
Money Advice Scotland will share its experiences of using the video platform for the past year, including data and case studies which offer insight into how Near Me can work for your organisation.
Taking place on 8 February, the webinar is for anyone working in the housing sector, from frontline workers to senior managers, who wants to improve interaction and connection with tenants.
What is Near Me?
Near Me is a video consulting service that enables people to have public service appointments from home or wherever is convenient. Near Me is being adopted by more services every week, offering flexibility for organisations, staff teams and tenants. Approved for use by the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, the service allows people to attend their pre-arranged appointment using a video call, rather than attending in person.
Near Me is accessible to public services until at least March 2023, allowing social landlords to offer tenants a secure video call option for accessing services such as housing management, viewings, assessing reported repairs, and welfare benefits advice etc. Near Me can also be beneficial in winter months, saving tenants and staff members travelling in adverse weather conditions.
After a Near Me call is finished, participants can be redirected to a custom webpage to allow for signposting to further information or organisations can seek instant feedback.
Near Me is embedded in the Scottish Government’s work, including A Changing Nation: How Scotland Will Thrive in a Digital World, and the draft Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy 2022 to 2026 for NHS Scotland. Video consulting will be with us post-pandemic, and the feedback from individuals who have used it has been positive. Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board surveyed patients involved in 3,481 virtual consultations, and 98% reported they would repeat the experience. The survey also highlighted that 83% described not having to travel to an appointment as the biggest benefit. Further feedback will be gathered across housing services in 2022.
Applying for Near Me access
Near Me is easy to set up for your organisation. In the first instance, please arrange a demonstration session with me by emailing fmcrae@sfha.co.uk. You will find out more about the impact Near Me has on services and how it can add value to your organisation.
Near Me Webinar
8 February, 09:30–10:30
To book your place, please visit the SFHA Live! section of our website.