Groove Designs and Saibu Gas Launch Demonstration to Digitally Expand Urban Community Nursing in Fukuoka

Groove Designs Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Mayuko Mitani), a company dedicated to designing new relationships between people and cities, has announced a collaboration with Saibu Gas Co., Ltd. to initiate a demonstration project in Ropponmatsu, Fukuoka City. This initiative aims to verify a mechanism where urban community nurse practices—centered at the 'Tanebako' community hub operated by Saibu Gas—are integrated with the digital engagement platform 'my groove' to share local voices and expand participation. This marks the first implementation of 'my groove' in Kyushu and serves as a new model for building social connections in urban areas where community ties tend to weaken. Saibu Gas opened 'Tanebako' in June 2025 as a permanent place where anyone can drop by. While Saibu Gas has previously implemented community nurse projects in housing redevelopment and public facilities, this is their first venture in a dense urban center. By combining face-to-face warmth with digital possibilities, the project seeks to foster a culture of mutual aid and enhance resident well-being. The demonstration includes collecting 'voices of life' in Ropponmatsu, visualizing resident participation, and creating small-scale interactions and local activities based on shared interests. Takuya Honda, Manager at Saibu Gas, commented that the project aims to further enrich the culture of mutual aid rooted in the community. Mayuko Mitani, CEO of Groove Designs, expressed her enthusiasm for urban community nursing and hopes to provide insights for future expansions in other urban areas.