New partnership to develop cutting-edge children’s rehabilitation technology
The Foundation is delighted to announce a new partnership with The Children’s Trust with a grant of £150,000, to acquire a cutting-edge robotic aided gait trainer (RAGT). The RAGT would be the first of its kind to be used in a paediatric setting in the UK.
The Foundation is delighted to announce a new partnership with The Children’s Trust with a grant of £150,000, to acquire a cutting-edge robotic aided gait trainer (RAGT).
The RAGT would be the first of its kind to be used in a paediatric setting in the UK. For a child who has overnight gone from being able-bodied to needing help to perform even basic tasks, this is a chance to feel like they are walking again and to re-gain some independence and lost skills. This builds on the existing relationship between the organisations, as The Children’s Trust already uses the Foundation’s largest donor, CareTech PLC’s subsidiary, Smartbox’s, technology, which assists with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Evidence is growing around the use of robotics to support physical therapy and rehabilitation goals. Integrating traditional therapies with robotics technology could change the future for children with brain injury and neurodisability.
Over the last year, The Children’s Trust has invested in some upper and lower limb robotics technology to assist with young people’s rehabilitation therapy. This has already had a positive impact on not only the children’s physical goals, giving greater freedom of movement, but also their social interaction and wellbeing.
Currently, there are no facilities within the UK that offer a full suite of equipment that is specifically designed and scaled for children, and the charity’s ambition is to pioneer and shape the use of robotics for children, driving innovation and change.
“We are delighted to support The Children’s Trust with a grant to develop robotics-aided technology, which will have a life-changing impact on the lives of children in the UK. This support will move The Children's Trust closer to buying a robotic aided gait trainer which could potentially revolutionise the lives of children with brain injury or neurodisability. It will also play a huge role in shaping how these injuries and disabilities are managed in the future. This technology is a game-changer and we are excited to be a part of it!”
“We are excited to partner with The Children’s Trust on this exciting new opportunity emerging as part of the robotics programme. The Children's Trust and CareTech PLC have a fruitful relationship already through Smartbox and the partnership with the Foundation allows us to grow our synergy through more collaboration across a range of disciplines.”
“We are extremely grateful for this generous grant from the CareTech Foundation, and excited to be pioneering robotics-aided rehabilitation for children in the UK. Together, we can ensure that young people have access to cutting-edge technology that has the potential to help them regain lost skills and independence. In partnership with CareTech we look forward to using our shared expertise to transform outcomes for children and young people.”
