Technology that Amplifies: New Meeting Platform

April Long , CEO SMART Recovery Australia

SMART Recovery Australia is committed to ensuring people who need support are able to access it when they need it. Following support from the Australian Federal Government we are launching a new Meeting platform which will support people to find a meeting and the support they need fast. Through implementing technology that amplifies we will ensure more Australians are supported to reduce the impact of the addiction for themselves, their family and the wider community.?

SMART Recovery Australia provides evidence-based tools to support individuals and their families and friends to manage behaviors of concerns and improve their wellbeing.Today we hold over 200 face to face meetings and 60 meetings online across Australia which are delivered by trained SMART Facilitators.

People seek support for a range of behaviors, the behavior of concern that most participants seek support for is alcohol (70% of participants). With this new technology meeting information will be able to be updated regularly and this will ensure support is centrally provided to our partner organisations and their participants.?

In a survey of over 2,840 participants participating in online meetings 20% agreed or strongly agreed they experience technical difficulties joining or during their meeting. Despite these challenges, 80% left with a 7 day plan to address their behavior of concern. This investment will ensure more people can leave with a plan and make positive changes in their lives.?

Importantly, the new Meeting Platform will also ensure obtaining a certificate of attendance for any criminal justice matters is easier for participants. Obtaining attendance verifications is a necessary part of recovery for many of our participants. Last year over 1,100 certificates of attendance were manually provided. We look forward to scaling that impact with an automated certificate of attendance feature.?

The implementation of the new meetings platform is being supported by SMART Recovery International and our global digital program partner Yarmer and leverages technology provided by Pathminder Meetings. Kim McCreanor , Executive Officer, SMART Recovery International highlighted that the “SMART Recovery Australia Meetings Platform will be a component of our integrated SMART Recovery global digital ecosystem. The work of SMART Recovery Australia will enable our Affiliates globally to increase their reach and impact through accessible and relevant digital content, products and services”.?

As highlighted by the Chair of SMART Recovery Australia Brett Savill FAICD Savill “With the support of the Federal Government the entire Board of SMART Recovery Australia is thrilled to be making recovery just a little bit easier for both participants and our dedicated facilitators by launching the new Meeting Platform”.?

At SMART Recovery Australia we will continue to use data and digital technology to amplify and accelerate our mission, deliver greater impact at scale and improve effectiveness. We look forward to sharing developments of the Facilitator Hub, Participant Portal and technology that amplifies in the near future.?