AskAshleigh: Support for Caregivers, Anytime They Need It
By Alex Bukowski
Client: Upper Coastal Plains Council of Governments (UCPCOG)
Industry: Government & Healthcare Support
Launched: 2024
Overview
Caregivers often need help at unpredictable times, and UCPCOG, the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments in North Carolina, wanted to make sure people could get guidance whenever they needed it. Their team saw a chance to make support more accessible, more practical, and available at any hour.
Gambit partnered with UCPCOG to create AskAshleigh, a public-facing AI caregiver companion that gives easy to understand guidance around the clock. It was designed to feel friendly, supportive, and helpful so caregivers could get clear answers without feeling overwhelmed.
The Challenge
Caregivers frequently reached out with questions about programs, dementia, aging, day-to-day challenges, and where to find support. Many questions were simple and repeated throughout the week. This made it harder for staff to focus on people who needed deeper or more urgent help.
On top of that, many caregivers needed advice during evenings, weekends, or stressful moments when no one was available to pick up the phone. UCPCOG wanted something that could meet people where they were and offer guidance that felt human, not automated.
The Solution
Gambit worked closely with the UCPCOG team, shaping the experience around the communication style and expertise of Family Caregiver Resource Specialist Ashleigh Glover. This helped create an AI that feels warm, clear, and reassuring, similar to talking with a real support specialist. AskAshleigh is not an exact copy of Ashleigh, but it reflects her calm, practical approach and her focus on what caregivers need most.
With AskAshleigh, caregivers can:
- – Type questions
- – Share photos
- – Get personalized suggestions
- – Learn how to navigate UCPCOG programs
- – Access support any time of day or night
AskAshleigh was also designed to scale so that other Area Agencies on Aging could adopt it without losing the personalized feel. Agencies in Georgia and other regions have already started using it.
AskAshleigh was first introduced at the 2024 SE4A Conference in Alabama, where it received strong interest from leaders in aging services and public sector innovation.
Impact
AskAshleigh gives caregivers immediate access to clear, simple guidance. Whether someone is facing a late night dementia challenge or trying to understand what programs are available, they now have a companion that can help in seconds.
Caregivers benefit from:
- – Faster access to information
- – Less pressure during stressful moments
- – A reliable, approachable source of guidance
UCPCOG has also seen a significant reduction in call volume. Staff now spend less time answering repetitive questions and more time helping people with complex needs.
AskAshleigh has been in active use for more than two years and continues to expand into new regions.
Recognition
AskAshleigh has received several major awards for its impact, including:
- – George L. Maddox Award from the NC Division of Aging
- – 2025 Center for Public Sector AI Award
- – NADO Impact Award
- – SC4A Corporate Partnership Award
Looking Ahead
AskAshleigh continues to grow as more agencies explore how AI can support caregivers and aging programs. Because it was built with scalability in mind, it can be adapted for new regions and additional types of guidance. There are opportunities for future enhancements as more organizations begin using it.
As adoption grows, it shows how thoughtful technology can make caregiving a little easier. The experience gives people clear answers when they need them most and helps support teams focus on the cases that require human attention. Gambit is proud to partner with UCPCOG and excited to help bring this kind of accessible support to more communities.