While the Highland ‘Worrying About Money’ (WAM) resources (step-by-step guides helping people struggling to afford essentials as well as support workers to identify local ‘cash first’ or income-focused support options) including its leaflet, translated, easy read, poster, audio, and interactive versions are fantastically useful, we recognised that an app version could fill a critical gap. NHS Highland covers a remote area of rural and island communities where phone and broadband signal coverage can be patchy at best. Internet access can also be cost-prohibitive for people struggling to afford food and other essentials. Once downloaded, the Highland ‘Worrying About Money?’ app can be used offline and the additional information it provides can be accessed without the internet.

Image: Highland 'Worrying About Money?' (WAM) app

The correlation between income deprivation and reduced health outcomes has long been established. A higher income is likely to mean less stress and allow for individuals to meet their own basic needs and take part in health-promoting activities as well as accessing better life enhancing options. Poor health and less income mean exactly the opposite. Good health allows individuals to gain and sustain employment and to have more options to live a more active life.

So, it was a straightforward step for the health board, NHS Highland, to lead on the development on an app that was relevant to the area both in terms of content and accessibility.

To develop and deliver the project, we felt it was important to work with a UK-based developer who understood the goals and challenges of public and third sector work. Faff Digital has been building apps and websites in this space for over 14 years, and we had experience of working with the organisation previously.

John-Paul at Faff Digital worked closely with us and the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) to build a flexible, low-maintenance app based on our WAM leaflet that could be quickly adapted for local use in other areas.

The development goals from the outset were to:

• create a local pilot app to prove our concept - which could then be adapted for the needs of other communities;

• make it simple to maintain and expand - so updates or new features can be added later;

• develop an easy to update app template for similar future projects – reducing initial development costs for different areas.
  

The WAM Highland app was launched in in February 2023.Both the app and the other ‘Worrying About Money? resources are promoted as part of the delivery of a suite of Money Counts training offered by NHS Highland around poverty and stigma so we could track how many people we promote it directly to. From January 2024 until December 2024, 103 people attended training where the app is promoted. We can also gather metrics on app usage. From January 2024 to December 2024 the app was accessed 2.4k times with 218 active users and an average engagement time of 2 mins 05 secs, demonstrating its value as a tool to support people with money worries.

The app is free to download and can be accessed using the QR codes below or these Apple and Android links Like the other ‘Worrying About Money?’ resources, it is easy to use and follows the stepped process for specific issues and where support can be accessed.

Image: QR-codes to Google Play and App Store

We know that anyone accessing the app has the most up-to-date information possible and, like the interactive version, it is quicker to update than a printed leaflet. These are some of the reasons why the app is an invaluable resource for us in Highland.

There are several reasons that might make the app work for ‘Worrying About Money?’ partnership groups in other areas.

• Getting started is easy — the developer adapts your existing IFAN leaflet, so there’s no need to build from scratch. With minimal local input, it can be ready to use quickly.

• It complements the ‘Worrying About Money?’ interactive version by offering a digital option that’s accessible anytime, including for people in remote areas or those without or running out of data.

• It’s flexible enough to be used by NHS teams, councils, social work, and third sector organisations, helping you support a wide range of users.

• Each version can be customised with your own name, colours, and branding, while retaining the recognisable IFAN structure.

• The core template is already developed, which reduces setup time and costs.

• Developer support is available as needed — updates are quick and low-cost, and the app is built to grow with your future needs.

• The process continues to be refined through the Highland rollout, making it even more efficient for new adaptations.
  

The Highland app development has been a great piece of work to be involved with. We believe it is supporting people with money worries and our metrics appear to confirm this. For us it represents good value for money and for others, the framework has already been developed so the cost is likely to be less.

If you are interested in finding out more about an app for your area, please contact IFAN at admin@foodaidnetwork.org.uk.