Three prototypes revealed at ‘Enabling Collaborative Innovation’ conference

The Design Together, Live Better team were very excited to reveal the three prototypes at the ‘Enabling Collaborative Innovation’ conference , held at the Cheltenham Racecourse in October 2015. The team has been working around the clock for the last three months to design the three ideas inspired by those participating in the project over the summer.

The ideas
                                                                                                 

The ‘Companion’ trolley offers a personalised approach to existing walker trolleys in the home. People can fill the trolley with meaningful possessions and transport these around their living environment whether that be in their own home or in a care setting.

A portable bidet that can be used in public toilets. You can take it wherever you go, it will be quick and easy to use on any toilet and easy to operate independently of carer assistance.

A one-handed-seatbelt buckle and harness . This idea has the potential to support many people with dexterity and mobility problems and would also make the task of fastening harnesses and buckles easier for all. It could be used on pushchairs, car seats and other child restraints.

Over 400 people attended the conference with a mixture of members of the public, healthcare professionals, businesses and academics. There was a great buzz around the Design Together, Live Better stand and we were delighted to have visitors from the National Star College along with others who had taken part in the workshops back in June and July.

Dame Janet Trotter, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire and Chair of the Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust, visited the stand, as well as James Scott, Chief Executive of the Royal United Hospital in Bath who was particularly impressed with the companion trolley. He told us he thought it “looked great” and “like something I could get from IKEA!”

The showcase didn’t stop there. We also exhibited the three prototypes at the Designability Annual Lecture at the University of Bath on 12 November.

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