Why we chose an app in the first place
When we designed The Alderley Clubhouse, we knew we were building it for two groups of people. Our members, who spend their day with us. And their families, who don't.
That second group matters just as much. If your mum or dad is a member, you want to know how their day went. Not a two-line summary at pick-up. The actual day. Who they sat with at lunch. Whether they joined the chair yoga session or chose the sensory garden instead. What they thought of the crumble.
Sarah, our founder, was clear from the start. A phone call at 4pm doesn't give you that. So we went looking for something better.
What FamilyNet is
FamilyNet is a secure communication app used in care settings across the UK and Europe since 2005. It gives every member their own private page. Our team posts to that page throughout the day, and only the family members you invite can see it.
It works in any web browser and as an app for iPhone and Android. There's nothing to pay. The club covers the subscription, so your family pays nothing to use it.
We looked at building our own app. FamilyNet already did everything we wanted, with a proven track record, so we chose the proven option.
What you'll actually see
Here's how it works on an ordinary Tuesday.
Your dad arrives at 9:30 am. Mid-morning, one of the team posts a photo of him at the baking table with a short note about what the group made. Around lunchtime, another update. In the afternoon, a video clip from the singalong, if he's happy to be in it.
Each post lands on his page. You get a notification. You can reply, or simply tap a heart so the team knows you've seen it.
Every family member you invite sees the same page. Your brother in London, your sister in Edinburgh, and you in Wilmslow all get the same photo at the same moment. Nobody has to relay news second-hand.
The features families tell us they use most
Messages, photos and videos. The core of it. Short, frequent, real. Our team posts what happened, not what was scheduled.
The calendar. Every activity, visiting hairdresser slot and Fish and Chip Friday is listed. You can see what's coming up and plan around it.
The Lifebook. This is the part we think families will value most over time. It's a space where you add memories, photographs and stories from your loved one's life. Their first job. Their wedding. The dog they had in 1974. Our team reads it, which means conversations at the club start from what your mum loves rather than from a blank sheet. Members often enjoy looking through it with the team too.
Group messages. When we have news for every family, you'll hear it once, clearly, in the app. No missed emails.
Privacy. Only the people you've invited can see each page. FamilyNet is GDPR compliant and has been handling family data in care settings for two decades.
What this means for you
If you're an adult son or daughter, you already know the feeling. You've handed over responsibility for the day, and part of you still holds it. FamilyNet gives you a way to put it down.
You'll see your mum laughing at something. You'll notice she's eating well. You'll spot that she's made a friend. That's the reassurance a phone call can't give you, because you're seeing it, not just being told it.
If you live at a distance, this changes things further. You can be part of your parent's week without a three-hour drive. When you do visit, you'll already know what they've been up to, so you can pick up the conversation instead of starting it.
How you get set up
Once your loved one completes their intake assessment and books their first day, our team creates their FamilyNet page. You'll receive an invitation by email as the first contact.
From there, you invite the rest of the family yourself through the Members page. Download the app or use it in your browser, whichever you prefer.
If you'd rather see it before you commit, ask on your welcome tour. We're happy to show you a demonstration page so you know exactly what you'll be looking at.
A few honest notes
Our team's first job is to be with our members. Posting comes second. You'll get regular updates, not a live feed, and on a busy day the photo might arrive at 3 pm rather than 11 am.
Members choose whether they appear in photos and videos. The intake form covers photography consent, and we respect it every day.
The app is a window into the day, not a replacement for talking to us. If something matters, ring us. We'd rather have the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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FamilyNet is a secure communication app that The Alderley Clubhouse uses to keep families up to date. Each member has a private page where our team posts messages, photos and videos during the day. Only the family members you invite can see it.
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No. The club pays the subscription. There's nothing for you or your family to pay.
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Only the people you invite. The first family contact receives the invitation from us, then adds other relatives through the Members page. FamilyNet is GDPR compliant and has been used in care settings since 2005.
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Regularly, but not constantly. Our team's first job is to be with members, so expect a few posts across a typical day rather than a live feed. Timing varies with what's happening at the club.
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You can use FamilyNet in any web browser, or download the free app for iPhone or Android. Both show the same page.
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Yes. Ask on your welcome tour and we'll show you a demonstration page. Tours run at 11:00, 11:30, 14:00 and 14:30, Monday to Friday. Call 0333 0913 716 to book.
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