Bridging knowledge gaps
Founder Louise Thompson’s inspiration came from her own parents’ needs – the desire for a human touch in moments of fear and loneliness – and she was determined to provide this for others and to ‘give something back’ to her beloved North East.
Louise embarked on a journey that began with a practical need, around a pressing societal issue – social isolation. Her two elderly parents who lived hundreds of miles away often needed help with simple day to day requests, “the TV isn’t working”, “what does this letter mean?”, “we’ve nothing for dinner”. Louise wanted to be able to call on someone to help when she, or other family members couldn’t be there, often at short notice. Such a service didn’t exist, so Louise created Myfolks, a groundbreaking app designed to provide on-demand support for loved ones in need.
Recognising that loneliness is not just a feeling but a significant health risk, Louise looked into the emerging field of social health – a movement that views social isolation as a significant barrier to physical and mental wellbeing.
New research has shown that chronic loneliness leads to a 56% increased risk of having a stroke.
Louise wanted to create a solution that would not only address the symptoms of isolation but also target its root causes.
While Louise had the vision, she lacked access to the comprehensive research and academic insights necessary to bring her idea to life. She needed a partner who could provide the scientific insights and the local perspective that were both essential to validate and enhance her idea. This is where Arrow came in, offering support and a collaborative spirit that would propel Myfolks to new heights.
