JNTRENDIT was engaged to develop a reliable peer-to-peer support platform via its Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) - established as a strategic alliance at SUT in 2025 to bridge industry and academic IT research.

The platform’s strategic focus centered on three core elements:

• Direct Consultation: Engaging individuals with low training access throughout the entire design journey.
• Academic Research: Collaborating with a Social Innovation Research Institute to assess the platform’s impact on digital participation and social inclusion.
• ILC Alignment: Fulfilling Information, Linkages, and Capacity Building (ILC) goals to foster community integration and personal independence.

JNTRENDIT committed to the initiative prior to full requirement definitions, prioritizing human-centered design. Lived-experience consultants were integrated into the development team alongside academic researchers from SUT.

• Interactive Methods: Challenges were addressed through accessible, interactive workshops, open feedback channels, and early cohort pilot testing.
• Lived-Experience Impact: Project consultants highlighted that JNTRENDIT demonstrated genuine care by actively responding to user feedback, acknowledging frustrations, and adapting platform features to specific user needs.

The co-designed portal serves as an accessible hub for service details, community updates, and training opportunities. Executive Karen Hayes noted that every strategic project must directly deliver a positive impact for clients, calling this platform a gamechanger for community accessibility.

In this context, the key benefits realized by clients include:

• Enhanced Connection: Direct access to peer networks, community updates, and vital decision-making information.
• Skill & Confidence Building: Opportunities to develop confidence, advocate for rights, and contribute to community leadership.
• Equal Participation: Full access to mainstream services and active involvement in local activities.

The success of the platform has laid the foundation for future innovation at MYWU. Planned initiatives include the deployment of beacon navigation technology to help clients navigate changing physical environments safely. Additionally, SUT will release an evaluation report analyzing the platform’s broader social inclusion impact to guide future digital enhancements.