2019-09-17 12:54:52
A pop-up, purpose-built house showcasing a range of assistive technology that can be used to support vulnerable adults opens in Bristol.
Created by national learning disabilities charity Hft, the Smarthouse features innovative, interactive technology including a talking microwave, safety sensors to prevent flooding or injury, and finger-print activated door locks which replace the need for keys.
The Smarthouse is on display at Bristol City Council’s Technology Enabled Care Event which is being hosted at Bristol Community Links (BCL) South from 17 – 19 September 2019.
Not open to the public, the event is an opportunity for professionals and service users to experience interactive demonstrations of the types of technology used by Hft and Bristol City Council to help people live more independently and safely.
Councillor Helen Holland, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said:
“We know from our Better Lives at Home transformation project that our service-users really like these kinds of solutions, and can gain and retain skills to stay as independent as possible, have a better quality of life and an improved sense of well-being.
“Technology will never replace person-to-person care, but introduced carefully and as part of a wider package of care, with the individual at the heart of decision-making, technology can complement personal care and we want more people to be able to use it.”
Over the three days, Hft’s specialist Personalised Technology team – which offers training, assessment, installation, advice and consultancy services – will be running a series of sessions for those wanting to try out the technology, learn more about how it works and ask questions.
View this post on Instagram
Sarah Weston, Hft’s Innovation Manager, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Bristol City Council on this event. Every day we work with people with disabilities, their families and support staff to find creative ways to support people to achieve the things they want to do.
“We’re looking forward to sharing our expertise with visitors to the Smarthouse and demonstrating how technology can discreetly fit into and enhance the quality of people’s lives.
“This event promises to be a great opportunity for people to find out more about the role of technology in enabling people with disabilities to live with as much independence, choice and control as possible.”
Sessions take place at Bristol Community Links (BCL) South on Langhill Avenue, Inns Court in Knowle on from: Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th at 10.00am – 3.45pm. There will also be an early evening session on Wednesday 18th from 5.00pm to 7.00pm.
The event is part of an ongoing partnership between Hft, We Care Home Improvements and Bristol City Council, funded by the Department of Health’s Housing and Technology fund. The project aims to improve independence and maximise individual choice and control for people with learning disabilities in Bristol.
The funding is available to anyone with a learning disability or autism in Bristol. To make a referral into the project, email personalisedtechnology@hft.org.uk.
To book your place at the Technology Enabled Care Event please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/technology-enabled-care-event-hft-smart-house-hosted-by-bcl-south-tickets-69275259165
About Hft
Hft is a national charity supporting more than 2,500 adults with learning disabilities across England to live the best life possible. Established in 1962, the charity uses its own unique Fusion Model to consistently deliver high quality, person-centered support across all its services.
Services range from supported living to residential care – from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day. Hft also helps people with learning disabilities to take part in daily activities, make friends and develop relationships and to find work.
For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
Better Lives
Better Lives is Bristol City Council’s innovative transformation programme for adult social care. The programme aims to enable people in the city to lead more fulfilling lives and live independently at home for as long as possible.
The aim is to change the way people see care in the city by supporting people to live in their own homes for longer and reduce the need for long term care, improving their wellbeing and making services more sustainable as a result.
Technology Enabled Care (TEC)
Technology Enabled Care (TEC) used to be called Assistive Technology. It’s a key part of the Better Lives Programme and is about helping people to live at home independently. Many Bristol residents supported by the City Council already use TEC supplied by Bristol City Council.
The increased use of TEC as part of a wider package of care, or on its own, has been shown to support citizens to live independently for longer within their own communities and improve their wellbeing. This can lead to a reduction in the number of adults needing care at home or in residential or nursing homes. It’s also been shown to reduce ambulance call outs and time spent in hospitals. This is a better solution for our residents, making better use of care workers’ time and also reducing pressure on the budgets to invest in other areas.
Information about learning disabilities
A learning disability can be mild, moderate, severe or profound and is defined as having a reduced ability to:
- Understand new or complex information
- Learn new skills
- Live independently
Location: Hft Bristol & Bath
