News from October

BAE Apprentices use their expertise to help Sue Ryder Care

Apprentice engineers from BAE Systems will be applying their engineering expertise to help design equipment that benefits patients and carers at Sue Ryder Care.

The BAE Systems UK Apprentice Innovation Challenge was officially launched on 29 October at Sue Ryder Care – Holme Hall in Yorkshire.  The initiative calls on the thousands of talented BAE Systems’ employees under the age of 25 to devise and develop devices that could practically help Sue Ryder Care staff and patients. The challenge is split into two categories. 

The Mechanical Challenge: asks apprentices to design a piece of equipment that will enable an individual nurse to safely evacuate a person with limited mobility.

The Electrical Challenge: aims to create opportunities for people with severe physical restrictions to enjoy and partake in music therapy.  Ideas could be based around adapting traditional instruments or using new technology.

Closing date for registration is 29 November, after which the apprentices will have seven months to research, design and build their devices.  The top four teams and overall winners will be announced at a special ceremony on 31 July 2009. 

Kim Phipps, Charity Challenge Campaign Leader said, “I’m delighted to be working in partnership with our chosen charity, Sue Ryder Care, on this year’s Apprentice Innovation Challenge.  And, I’m confident our apprentices will create lots of innovative and useful devices that can help Sue Ryder Care continue to deliver expert and vital care to people living with serious illnesses nationwide.”