Boscombe residents are to be able to become more informed about local facilities following the launch of a new community app – myboscombe.azurewebsites.net/App/ – which can be accessed as a website or a phone app.

Funded through the digital sector of the Bournemouth Towns Fund, MyBoscombe enables users to connect directly with their local place, through promoting support organisations, community groups, independent shops, restaurants and travel operators. It also provides details about local jobs, social groups, volunteering opportunities and information on places to visit, as well as details about local services available from the council and its agencies.

Following a competitive process, local company IoTech Limited was commissioned to build MyBoscombe under the direction of, and in collaboration with, BCP Council’s Smart Place team.

The project is split into two phases starting with a beta version of MyBoscombe to help the BCP Smart Place team establish both the technical feasibility of the app and what value it provides locally. Critical to its growth will be the ideas and feedback which users can submit directly via the app.

Phase 2 of MyBoscombe is to become more sophisticated with greater technical capability.

Boscombe ward councillor Jane Kelly, lead member for communities, said: “Having such valuable local information all in one accessible place will be a real asset to the Boscombe community. With so much on offer in the area, from wellbeing organisations to cultural events, MyBoscombe provides a platform to promote all of the great work taking place that people may not know about.

“Key to the success of the app is working with local people, businesses and communities, to make sure it focuses on what matters most so it is important that people submit ideas of what they want to see next.”

People can submit their ideas directly via the app by using the ‘Your ideas’ lightbulb button. General feedback on the use of the app’s features can also be submitted.

MyBoscombe can be used via any device with internet access without the need to subscribe or download anything. Although supported by website desktops, users with smart phones or tablets can add the web app to their home screens so it can function similarly to a traditional app.