December 2025
As the festive season arrives, we’d love to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a restful break. And as 2025 draws to a close, it’s the perfect moment to pause, look back on the year that’s been and share a few of our favourite highlights.
November 2025
Living Well Warrington were highly commended in the Integrated Care Initiative Award at the HSJ Awards 2025.
This category highlights initiatives improving access to care and tackling inequalities - and the recognition could not be more deserved.
The Living Well programme brings NHS services, Warrington Borough Council and the voluntary sector together to deliver holistic, early-intervention support through its town centre Living Well Hub and a comprehensive digital directory (powered by Made Open software).
The HSJ commendation is a fantastic endorsement for a partnership making real, measurable impacts.
November 2025
This month, Talent Timebanking was nationally recognised at the 2025 HPMA Excellence in People Awards for transforming workforce collaboration through peer-to-peer support. This is a major recognition in health sector HR.
The recognition marks an important milestone for the platform, highlighting its important role in helping health and social care professionals share their talents and strengthen their networks.
November 2025
We’re pleased to announce that Made Open is now Cyber Essentials certified. This certification reflects our commitment to keeping our working practices secure at every level.
This is an important step in improving the protection of our services and our customers from common cyber threats, helping us build a safer and more resilient digital community.
October 2025
Made Open has been shortlisted for the Tech South West Awards 2025 in the ‘Tech for Good’ category.
This recognition means a lot to our Cornwall-based team. It celebrates our mission to use technology as a force for social good - designing platforms that bring communities together, unlock potential and empower people to support one another.
As a B Corp-certified company, we focus on creating technology with empathy and purpose to help build stronger, better-connected communities.
From place-based platforms like Devon Connect and Living Well Warrington to peer networks such as NHS Talent Timebanking and Southampton University’s Future Towns Innovation Hub (FTIH), our software and community-building services aim to improve wellbeing, build capacity and help people collaborate more effectively.
We’re proud to be recognised alongside other innovators using tech for good, and truly grateful to everyone who has helped shape and support our journey so far.
August 2025
Devon Connect, the free county-wide digital platform designed to strengthen community connections, is celebrating a major milestone – welcoming its 5,000th member.
Created through the combined efforts of Devon Voluntary Action partners, Devon Connect has become a vital hub for local people to discover and share events, activities, volunteering opportunities and charity jobs across the county.
Passing 5,000 members is a huge achievement and shows the appetite across Devon for people to get connected, share their time and strengthen community life. We’re proud of what’s been achieved so far, and excited to keep growing together.
Marie Gould, Devon Connect lead
August 2025
We’re proud to share that our clients, Living Well Warrington, have been nominated for the HSJ Integrated Care Initiative of the Year award (our second shortlist in one month!).
Living Well unites health, care and community partners to improve outcomes, tackle inequalities and deliver lasting system-wide change. Aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan, our platforms are delivering solutions that matter now more than ever.
July 2025
We're thrilled that NHS Talent Timebanking has been shortlisted for the Capsticks Award for Innovation at the HPMA Excellence in People Awards 2025!
We’re proud to be the software partner for this project, which helps NHS staff connect, share skills and learn from each other, via a culture of reciprocity and continuous learning
July 2025
Living Well Warrington is a partnership-led approach to shift from hospital-focused care to proactive, community-based support - a key goal of the NHS Long Term Plan.
In this interview, Stephen Bennett shares how Warrington is tackling rising demand and poor end-of-life health by focusing on prevention, healthy living and addressing root causes, supported by a digital platform and community hub that connect residents to local services and support.
June 2025
Can Do Bristol, the city’s trusted platform for volunteering and community engagement, is launching a vital new community initiative. Set to go live in July, ‘Can Do Recovery’ will be a safe space for people in recovery from drug and alcohol use to find reliable, stigma-free support.
May 2025
At Made Open, we’re always exploring how to make community platforms more resilient, impactful and sustainable. One thing we know for sure: partnerships are key.
That’s why we’ve developed a set of practical guides to help our customers build, nurture and grow meaningful partnerships
May 2025
Connecting Carmarthenshire has been awarded the Social Care Accolade for Working in Partnership.
This recognition is a testament to the shared commitment and dedication of everyone involved in delivering the Connecting Carmarthenshire service.
1st April 2025
Today marks an exciting new chapter in Made Open's journey.
After more than 20 years of exceptional leadership as our CEO, Robert is stepping down and moving to a new strategic role at Made Open.
As I (Phil Merrifield) step into the role of CEO, I'd like to share what this means for Made Open and our future vision.
March 2025
In 2023, Warrington’s community partners set out to find a technology provider to help create a platform that would complement the physical Living Well Hub in the centre of town.
After a thorough selection process, they chose Made Open to develop Living Well Warrington, which launched to the public on the 26th March 2025.
March 2025
We've re-launched the CLIP (Community-Led Impact Projects) process in partnership with the Future Towns Innovation Hub at Southampton University.
Combined with our software, this process helps people and teams share ideas and problems, using design thinking to bring community projects to life and see them through.
Note: Originally created by our clients Owen Tilbury and Peter Murden in Tasmania, we're updating the CLIP process with their permission.
February 2025
We love sharing examples of best practice on our community platforms.
This month we want to shine a spotlight on Interlink RCT (the anchor organisation behind Connect RCT) who have created an engaging profile page that truly connects with their community.
Check it out here: Interlink RCT
In just one page, you get a real sense of who they are, what they do and what they stand for.
It’s packed with information, insights, a showcase video, badges and tags (which connect them to other members with shared interests), plus a full staff list and all their activities.
For charities – especially smaller ones without the budget for a high-end website – this kind of profile offers a clear, engaging way to showcase their work and connect with the community.
So if you're a charity or community organisation, this is one of many good reasons why our software is worth exploring.
Jan 2025
At Made Open, we’re always inspired by the impact our customers achieve with our community software.
Devon Connect, one of our standout platforms, had a fantastic 2023, but 2024 has been even better.
These achievements show the dedication of Devon Connect’s partners to building thriving communities and collaboration.
The increase in social value is especially worth celebrating, highlighting how platforms like Devon Connect are not just about connection but also creating measurable impact.
January 2025
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new 'Asks & Offers' feature for organisations.
Already being used by Can Do Bristol, this new feature empowers community groups and organisations to respond to local needs and crisis situations with greater efficiency, allowing them to request specific help with equipment, materials or available assets.
It also provides businesses with a platform to offer their goods and services, showcasing their valuable contributions to social good.
January 2025
An independent review of Connect Torfaen concludes Made Open is best community software on the market.
Basis conducted the review and found the main issues for a recent drop in engagement was less about tech and more about implementing better processess among partners.
Seeing the success of Connect Torfaen is incredibly rewarding. Made Open have been highly adaptable and supportive, responding to the changes requested and continuously enhancing the platform to meet community needs. We’re excited to continue building on this success and making Torfaen a stronger, more connected place for everyone.
Aimi Morris, CEO, Torfaen Voluntary Alliance
December 2024
We’re pleased to announce the launch of our community job vacancies feature which is now live on Devon Connect and Wiltshire Together community platforms.
This feature bridges the gap between local talent and opportunities, empowering organisations to share vacancies and find the perfect candidates to drive their mission forward.
At the same time, it supports job seekers in discovering fulfilling roles that make a positive impact on their community while achieving personal growth.
