Lottie is the free review platform allowing people to find the right care home in the area of their choice.

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In 2021, after six years working in social care, co-founder Will Donnelly had realised that many found it confusing to navigate. Paired with their own frustrations from personal experiences searching for a care home on behalf of a loved one, he joined forces with his brother Chris to create Lottie.

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With a family background in both the healthcare and tech spaces, the two brothers began their mission to reinvent the elderly care sector to elevate later life for many loved ones.

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Since its launch, Lottie is considered one of Europe’s most exciting startup brands , and has also seen a valuation of over £50 million, with backing from giants like Zoopla’s David Wascha, Facebook’s Caroline Hudack and Monzo’s Tom Blomfield. Safe to say that Chris and Will are on track for an exciting trajectory.

So what can we gather from their journey so far?

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⚡A challenger with a more immediate solution…

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With a growing ageing population, the elder and social care industry face the long existing problem of inadequate funding. Following COVID 19, this problem has only worsened as demand has risen.

The elderly remain largely overlooked, even though the market is estimated to be worth trillions by 2029. While the government plans to curb the issue, many still require quicker solutions for loved ones.

Lottie allows for a more immediate answer to the issue as many will now have the b able to find a range of homes beyond their immediate areas, and as a result can eliminate the ‘postcode lottery’ factor preventing many from having access to homes..

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⚡Side-stepping the inconvenience…

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Along with the increase in demand, the UK has seen a rise in the cost of care. This is primarily because the UK does not have an adequate enough workforce to deal with the rising demand. This is paired with the high fees many have to deal with when finding a care home for loved ones, and without the right knowledge to compare price options, it can make for a very stressful and expensive process,

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An online review platform like theirs will allow for greater transparency within the space.as people will have the opportunity to make price comparisons with other homes they may not have been aware of. A digital platform will also eliminate the stress of the physical search.

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Incorporating technology to the search using a team of care experts and surveyors, Lottie’s model is proving to be a more convenient, specialised solution.

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⚡Putting impact before all else…

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Perhaps the most attractive feature of Lottie’s offering is their handpicked selection of homes to choose from. Founder Chris Donnelly is very specific on the quality of care homes featured on the site, often turning down offers from care homes wanting to make an appearance on the site.

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This is because many care homes do not provide services that match the quality of care they wish for the elderly to experience. With a mission of helping build towards more fulfilled later lives, Lottie has a more impact-focused agenda, as opposed to creating a platform that serves as more of a search engine.

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Also, last November Lottie pledged to give away 1,000 free overnight stays exclusively for carers in the UK In light of the cost of living crisis. This is a brilliant initiative, given that family carers receiving as little as £69.70 a week from the UK government have had very little support to weather recent economic changes, as well as the overwhelming demand that has come along with it.

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Though Lottie hasn’t been around for very long, we could all learn from their mission and values as a brand.

One key takeaway from Chris and Will’s journey with Lottie is the importance of putting impact at the forefront of your business idea. While time is yet to determine the platform’s success, its very existence is proving to be an exciting new frontier for the world of elder care.

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What lessons will you be taking away from Lottie’s story? I’d love to know!

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