Devon GP developing a new app to reduce isolation and bring communities together
‘I have digitalised the wooden community noticeboard you often walk past,’ said Dr Kemple
Last updated 22nd Apr 2026
A Newton Abbot GP is developing a first-of-its-kind app to help with prescribing activities for patients.
It's the result of an NHS Devon-funded research project to combat things like loneliness - and it's hoped could eventually give GPs another option to help patients.
The concept app is not yet ready for release with Dr Maurice Kemble saying whilst he wants feedback, it still needs further developing.
He said: "It's not a coincidence going to the football is popular, you have a tribe, you have people singing in unison and you feel part of a belonging, and these things are deeply entrenched in us.
"A lot of us, we are quite isolated. People work, they're struggling they go home. Likewise I have patients who have been struggling and they find some form of local group, Warhammer is one example which helped transform a patient.
They find a group and sometimes they are non-recognisable. That's an extreme example, of course, I'm not saying everyone's going to be transformed."
Dr Maurice Kemple from Cricketfield Surgery created the YourPatch App after researching different ideas and as he puts it 'witnessing the vast benefits of engaging in your community’.
The app creates a search area of 1km radius from the user’s location in which they can search for and post activities and announcements.
‘I have digitalised the wooden community noticeboard you often walk past,’ said Dr Kemple.
He added: "There are some similar apps to it, but it's supposed to minimise barriers to community involvement.
"For example if someone's to come to me and they're isolated or if they are struggling, they are in low mood it's a long consultation and I would offer many things and in addition to everything else mentioned I would just politely say 'have you considered seeing what's going on in your neighbourhood locally?”
The not-for-profit app was developed during Dr Kemple’s year-long Health Inequalities Project funded by the Devon Training Hub.
"I’d welcome the opportunity to talk with anyone who sees the benefits of this digital community noticeboard," he said.
"This doesn’t need a lot of investment to make it downloadable and available from your Apple or Android store, perhaps £5,000 - £10,000.
‘Ultimately, I would like this to be a tool for practitioners to encourage community engagement among their patients, however it can also be used independently of this for anyone who’s interested in what’s going on in their immediate neighborhood."
Dr Kemple recently presented his project to members of Newton Abbot Town Council’s Community and Heritage Committee and afterwards its Chair Cllr Louise Cooke said: "As a former practice manager myself I know all too well how social isolation can make even minor health problems much worse so we really welcome Dr Kemple’s efforts.
‘I’d urge anyone that believes they might be able to help to get in touch, this could be a really valuable tool that helps countless people."
Dr Kemple says safeguards will be put into the app to protect patients and users as part of the design process – including things like age restrictions.
He can be emailed via [email protected]