Last week we launched the latest version of Innate Needs and off the back of that, wanted to take a moment to reflect upon how things have started.
The responses so far have been incredibly encouraging. We heard from councillors, organisations and frontline teams from right across the UK, many of whom have kindly taken the time to explore the platform and share their thoughts with us.
Our aim for Innate Needs was to help people find the right support, at the moment they need it. It has been reassuring to see that intention reflected in some of the early feedback.
What we’ve heard so far
A number of councillors have highlighted the practical value of having support information brought together into one place:
“I have to congratulate you. I am sure this would be beneficial to anyone searching for support for residents” - Councillor, Lichfield
Others have already begun incorporating Innate Needs into their own approach:
“We will duly add your service to our list of provision accordingly.” - Councillor, Derby
And in many cases, the feedback has been simple but clear - recognising the platform for what it is:
“Thank you for circulating this very handy database” - Councillor, North Norfolk
“It is a user friendly tool” - Councillor, Glasgow
Alongside this, we’ve also received a number of short messages that, while brief, say a lot about how the platform is being received:
“Many thanks, excellent.” - Councillor, Haringey
Why this matters
It can take a lot for someone to reach out and ask for help. When they do, being able to provide quick and clear advice can make all the difference.
What we’re seeing so far is that bringing information into a single map, in a way that reflects how organisations already publish, is helping to make that process a little more straightforward.
We’re not looking to change how support organisations work, we just want to support what is already happening.
This is only the start
While the early responses we’ve received have been incredibly positive, this is very much just the beginning of the Innate Needs journey.
We continue to build out the platform and expand coverage. We’re also refining how information is presented to ensure that it reflects exactly what is happening on the ground in local communities.
Looking ahead
Our intention is to work collaboratively with councils across the UK to integrate and standardise their internal data, ensuring that Innate Needs becomes something that genuinely supports the people using it every day.
If you haven’t explored the platform, you can do so here:
And if you have any feedback, we’d really value hearing from you.