Sixthformers work on life-changing new project

Barrow Sixth Form A Level Design and Technology students are working on a life-changing project to help people who have had strokes improve their fine pincer movements.

The 25 sixth formers were set the real-life project brief by health experts from University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to find innovative news ways for patients to build back their motor skills.

A Level Design & Technology tutor Will Scott said it was a good chance to use the 3D printers.

“This project is great for the students’ education, it gives them a real-life project to work on and it supports insights into different valued work roles.”

Steve Newby, the Trust’s Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead for stroke said they were challenged to create a new project for adults to use at home.

“We wanted the college to get involved in this project to bring in some fresh, new thinking that will make a difference to people in the stroke community,” he said.

“We have been going out to see clients and seeing how the fine pincer movements are needed and the equipment they need and we think the kit online can be improved. By creating one piece of equipment, they can practice with at home on their own will greatly help them to build up muscles and movements.” 

“It was an idea of one of my current students’, Christina Bainbridge, to approach the college and I am supporting her with the project. Christina is a final year student with University of Cumbria.