DIGS
Building Community Into The Journey
BRIEF SET BY: WMH&I for Circuit Breakers
Digs’ mission is to tackle loneliness amongst young adults (16-25) who have experienced homelessness and gone through the homeless application process. In these instances, especially in emergency/ urgent cases, local authorities can be limited in which properties are available for applicants, and applicants can be left with little choice in where they are housed. This can sometimes mean being separated from support networks. Some applicants may not have a strong support network to begin with. The reasons for needing to apply for homelessness can often be complex, and may be related to somebody having a limited social circle.
New users get a welcome box containing their personalised keycard, lanyard, locker keychain, and a welcome leaflet to familiarise them with the space and staff.
UI Design
Digs users learn about the space through their housing officer, in order to ensure that the spaces stay as safe as possible for those who use it.
Housing officers who are familiar with their clients’ case can assess whether the space is appropriate for them.
Information about Digs’ mission can be found online, and users can choose to share their stories on this platform.
Users will also have access to an online portal, where they can find important information about their Digs location, as well as arranging support.
Bibliography (if ya curious!)
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Lachaud, J., Yusuf, A.A., Maelzer, F., Perri, M., Gogosis, E., Ziegler, C., Mejia-Lancheros, C. and Hwang, S.W. (2024). Social isolation and loneliness among people living with experience of homelessness: a scoping review. BMC Public Health. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. Vol. 24 No. 1 [online]. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024- 19850-7 [Accessed 10 February 2026].
Mintz, L. (2025). The surprising truth about who the loneliest generations are. BBC News. 18th December [online]. Available from: https:// www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0kz1wpnq5o [Accessed 5 February 2026].
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Sanders, B. and Brown, B. (2025). ‘I was all on my own’: experiences of loneliness and isolation amongst homeless people. Crisis homelessness charity [online]. Available from: https://www.crisis.org.uk/media/20504/crisis_i_ was_all_on_my_own_2016.pdf [Accessed 5 February 2026].
SCIE (2024). Community support - SCIE Housing resource [online]. Available from: https://www.scie.org.uk/housing/independentliving- solutions-empowering-lives-andenhancing- communities/community-support/ [Accessed 15 February 2026].
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Virani, T.E. (2020). Micro-community engagement and area-based regeneration in east London: The case of Chrisp Street Market. City, Culture and Society. Vol. 22. p. 100345 [online]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ccs.2020.100345.
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