New AI app launched to support young carers in Northamptonshire
The digital platform offers 24/7 assistance tailored to young carers' needs
A young carers charity in Northamptonshire has launched an AI-driven app designed to provide continuous support to young carers across the county. The 'Bridget' app offers customised guidance for young carers, addressing diverse challenges they may face on a daily basis.
Northamptonshire Young Carers Manager, Annie Freestone, expressed the importance of accessible digital resources for the youth, stating, "We all know that young people are very comfortable with digital platforms and they want to access something at a time that suits them and in a format that they're familiar with."
The charity said the new AI tool has been designed to fit around young carers’ lives, giving them support they can access whenever they need it.
Freestone said the aim is to create a space where young carers feel safe to open up, and where they can be gently guided towards more help if they want it.
"I hope that it will give them that route where they feel safe and able to express whatever it is that they're concerned with. If they're using the app that connects to our service, it might be a route to one-to-one support.
''We hope that that it might open some doors for young carers that are feeling nervous or anxious.'' She added.
The app enables users to select AI characters that focus on wellbeing and education, providing targeted advice and coping techniques tailored to personal circumstances.
''They can ask whatever question they want. It'll kind of generate them a support plan or some tips and techniques - and they can use that at a time that suits them.'' Freestone explained.
Freestone outlined the ease of accessing the app, saying, "They could go on our website and access it via that, or they could just Google Bridget for young carers and find our part of that from there."
To find out more visit the Northamptonshire Young Carers website.