IN INDUSTRY LAST UPDATED : 03 AUGUST 2018
A new event aiming to tackle problems faced by elderly people will see businesses, academics and artists join forces to create innovative solutions to the challenges they face, such as mobility and loneliness.
A new event aiming to tackle problems faced by elderly people will see businesses, academics and artists join forces to create innovative solutions to the challenges they face, such as mobility and loneliness.
Coventry-based ExtraCare Charitable Trust, which provides an alternative to care or nursing homes with its retirement villages, has come together with Birmingham City University and Eastside Projects’ STEAMhouse to call on local innovators to join the two-day STEAMlab hack event.
The challenge – STEAMlab Urban Hack: ExtraCare Retirement Villages –tasks attendees with finding ways to improve how elderly people are able to move in and out of ExtraCare facilities, and come up with methods of connecting residents with those with common interests or needs to increase social interactions.
Improving quality of life
Shirley Hall, Head of Innovation and Wellbeing at The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, commented:
“For our residents living with restrictions to mobility or simple everyday tasks, it is important that they feel they have the confidence and freedom to continue doing the things they enjoy.
“Thankfully, technology has already helped enable people to live more independent and comfortable lives, lives that better aligns with the age they feel inside. For that reason, we’re excited to be part of the next STEAMhouse challenge and look forward to seeing the solutions they create.”
Problem solving
STEAMlab events bring West Midlands businesses, innovators and creatives together to work together and build solutions to real-world problems and challenges facing the region. The upcoming ExtraCare-supported event takes place on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 August at STEAMhouse in the Digbeth area of Birmingham.
STEAMlabs are part of STEAMhouse, Birmingham City University’s new centre aimed at encouraging the collaboration of the arts, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEAM) sectors.
Creations devised during the events have the opportunity to secure funding opportunities, lead to prototypes being created or have their innovations fast-tracked.
New products
Alexa Torlo, Engagement Manager at Birmingham City University, said:
“STEAMhouse is all about bringing together people from across the arts and tech sectors to create innovative new products which have the potential to transform lives.
“The question for our upcoming event is ‘can technologies allow care receivers to lead more independent lives?’ This STEAMlab gives us the opportunity to work together with ExtraCare retirement villages to find solutions facing this organisation.”
Innovators are given the opportunity to amend and adapt existing technology or devise completely new creations in order to tackle the challenge presented to them.
STEAMlab Urban Hack: ExtraCare Retirement Villages is free to attend, but booking is essential.