This Is What Momentum Feels Like
January is normally a slow month for me. Over the years of working with inCharge, I've learned to accept that and lean into it - catching up on things I didn't get to, planning ahead, taking stock.
But wow, this month has been completely different.
There's been a definite change in pace, both for us as a team and in terms of urgency. Local authorities are reaching out. Conversations are moving faster. Things are getting done. It's really good.
This month alone, we've spoken to local authorities about procurement approaches, worked with families to enhance our self-service model, run co-design sessions with people with disabilities, and spoken to service providers. Across all those segments, there's definitely an appetite for doing things differently.
We're here for the long term
We're not here to side-hustle. I've given up my job, completely changed career, and we're going to make this work. We're making it work because there are people out there who need it. Because there are brave decision makers who aren't afraid to take a decision and pioneer something different.
If we do the same things, we're going to get the same results. We need to get different results.
Why we co-design
We've taken a design-led, co-design approach throughout the inCharge journey. That can be a little unusual - normally it's "get a crude product out and iterate fast." But we know our families don't have the bandwidth or capacity to try lots of things. So we're doing it in a way that works for them, learning the most we can before rolling anything out.
Earlier this month, we held a co-design session with people with disabilities. Before Christmas, we worked with families already using the platform. We've brought those two things together, and this afternoon we're meeting Sarah Kelliher, our UX designer from Xwerx, to see the first version of the design screens.
Then we'll review, test, try, and roll out.
It's really exciting. There's something about seeing co-production work come to life in visuals - it just makes everything real.
"Why has nobody done this before?"
I was walking a team of experienced support planners through our platform earlier this week. One of them said: "Why has nobody done this before?"
I get that comment a number of times, and I don't really know what to say.
I spotted this problem five years ago. I've done the research, the legwork, the sweat and tears - quite literally - to get to the point of having a team and having a product. Now we're out there to sell it and make sure we have a sustainable business for the long term.
There are other platforms out there, of course. But when you see our platform, it's straightforward in a way that feels different. And that's exactly what families need - they don't want complicated tech that's too hard to navigate, that doesn't work.
Behind the simple, user-friendly design, there's a complex software process and research process that makes it all work. It's all quite interwoven when you delve into it, but on the surface it's straightforward. Intentionally.
What's next
We're excited about what's coming. The person's view is taking shape. Local authorities are engaging in different ways. Families are telling us what they need, and we're building it.
This is what momentum feels like.
Karen McCormick - inCharge Founder and CEO
Want to be part of our co-design community?
We're always learning from people managing their own support and care, families, and care and support staff. If you'd like to share your experiences or try inCharge, get in touch.