105141/Z/14/Z: ElderberryPost - Medical Detectives Mission.

Project Summary:The Elderberry platform has been specifically devised to encourage more regular online communication between grandparents and grandchildren - using 'asynchronous' technologies, that enable them to pass digital 'activities and challenges' back-and-forth regardless of location or time. It's been developed to reduce the social isolation felt by many pensioners living alone (distanced from their families), and the void children face when their grandparents are not physically close enough to share s tories, mentor or inspire them in person. The core infrastructure is already funded (we've raised 600,000 through angel investment, the Technology Strategy Board and Nominet Trust) and we're now looking to expand our content proposition with exemplar 'Missions' in key genres relevant to both audiences. The National Trust have agreed to partner on a nature collection, and Historic Royal Palaces the same with heritage, and we're hoping Wellcome will support our bio-medical challenge. In the 'Medical Detectives Mission', the grandparent picks a custom-made online package about epidemiologist John Snow, that they can personalise and 'gift' to their grandchildren. When the child receives this, they unlock a selection of puzzles and mini-games with a strong narrative wrapper based on the 1854 Broadstreet cholera outbreak. Once the mystery is solved, they're prompted to send a digital 'Thank You' (a photo, drawing or digital artwork) back to their grandparent with further questions to s timulate dialogue between them. This People's Award would fund the editorial content, materials, designs and two bespoke game-engines that we need to create an appropriate epidemiology mission.

Grant Holder:Mr Marc Goodchild

Organisation:Eldeberry Post Limited

Financial Year:2013/2014