New centre at Sheffield Hallam could improve wellbeing of millions of people

A new centre is providing support for businesses that could improve the health and wellbeing of millions of people.
The new centre will help innovative businesses achieve their potentialThe new centre will help innovative businesses achieve their potential
The new centre will help innovative businesses achieve their potential

Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) has welcomed the first start-up business to its £900,000 Wellbeing Accelerator programme.

Footfalls & Heartbeats, an intelligent textiles business, will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, business support packages and specialist facilities to help bring its products to market.

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Based at Sheffield Hallam’s new £14m research centre, start-up businesses on the programme have access to research and development that allows for rapid prototyping and precision engineering.

There are also laboratories for product testing, support networks and a clinical research centre.

The programme works with start-ups, SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), founders and agencies to accelerate the development of health and wellbeing technologies and applications.

A spokesman said: “These innovations have become increasingly important this year as people adapt their lifestyles to the social restrictions triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.”

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Footfalls & Heartbeats has patented a technique in which sensors are knitted directly into textiles. The technology can be applied to compression bandages, wound care, injury rehabilitation, baby monitoring and performance monitoring textiles for athletes.

Simon Butler, Head of the AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the Accelerator programme and couldn’t have got off to a better start than accepting Footfalls & Heartbeats, which is such an innovative company, as the first participant.

“We look forward to accepting applications from many other innovative companies in the coming weeks and months.”

Simon McMaster, Founder and Chief Science Officer at Footfalls & Heartbeats, said: “We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to have access to world-class scientists and facilities.”

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