Blatchford approached the Simple Design Works team to tackle one of medical device development’s most complex challenges; creating a prosthetic knee that delivers natural movement while withstanding daily life’s rigorous demands. Simple Design Works is a strategic product design and innovation agency with studios in Worcester and Hereford, that works with ambitious businesses.

The project required balancing competing priorities – lightweight enough for comfortable wear yet durable enough for everyday activities, while meeting strict waterproof standards and maintaining precise internal mechanisms.

The local agency contributed specialist expertise including enclosure design, materials selection, user interface development and manufacturing strategy. Working within strict weight and space constraints, they ensured the device could withstand exposure to water, dust, impacts and any chemicals users may encounter.

The resulting Avior prosthetic features IP65-rated housing that protects electronics while maintaining a lightweight profile. Users benefit from up to 48 hours of operation with rapid charging and intelligent power-saving features. The polycentric design mimics human knee mechanics, providing smooth transitions between sitting and standing while adapting to different surfaces.

This successful partnership showcases the calibre of product development expertise available within the West Midlands business community. It perfectly demonstrates how local companies can contribute to global healthcare innovation, with the project serving as an example of how regional expertise can deliver breakthrough innovations that genuinely improve lives.

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Introduction

Hello to all you Leaders In Strategy! I’m Mike Harris and welcome back to the latest episode of my blog.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, a crucial conversation needs to take place highlighting the importance of Mental Health in
Construction.

The Unspoken Crisis in Construction

The construction industry is known for its grit, its hard work, and its towering achievements. But behind the scaffolding and steel, a silent crisis is unfolding: alarmingly high suicide rates among construction workers. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a human tragedy affecting individuals, families, and entire communities.

This week, during Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re shining a light on this critical issue. Too often, the pressure to succeed, the long hours, and the inherent risks of the job can lead to feelings of isolation and despair. But it’s crucial to remember that success isn’t a monolithic concept. It looks different for everyone, and it’s perfectly okay to define it on your own terms.
What truly matters is your well-being. Feeling lonely or isolated is a common experience, and it’s vital to remember you’re not alone. The construction industry, despite its tough exterior, is made up of people who care. We need to foster a culture of support and understanding, where reaching out for help isn’t seen as a weakness, but as a sign of strength.

Whether it’s connecting with colleagues on LinkedIn, talking to a friend, family member, or seeking professional help, there are resources available. Don’t hesitate to utilize them. Your life matters.

Taking Action: A Collective Responsibility

The high suicide rates in the construction industry are a call to action. We all have a role to play in creating a safer and more supportive environment. This means:

• Checking in on your colleagues: A simple conversation can make a world of difference.
• Promoting open communication: Encourage colleagues to share their struggles without fear of judgment.
• Utilising available resources: Familiarise yourself with mental health support services and share them with others.
• Leading by example: Demonstrate that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Let’s work together to break the stigma surrounding mental health and create a construction industry where everyone feels valued, supported, and safe. Your life, and the lives of your colleagues, are worth protecting. Let’s build a stronger, healthier future, together.

In summary

Reach out.

Feeling lonely or isolated is a common experience, especially in a demanding industry like construction. But the good news is, you’re not alone. The speakers emphasized the importance of connecting with others, even professionally. LinkedIn, for example, can be a powerful tool for building a support network. A simple message, a shared experience, or even just acknowledging someone’s hard work can make a world of difference.

About the author

Mike Harris is an experienced business leader and founder & lead consultant at Strategus Consulting. With 40 years of experience, Mike offers a unique opportunity for readers to learn and grow as strategic leaders. He is also the host of the Leaders In Strategy Podcast, which can be found on Podbean, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcast and YouTube.
The Leaders In Strategy Blog is brought to you by Strategus Consulting, a management consultancy that works with organizations and individuals to achieve their ambitions by focusing on their strategic plans and providing leadership, guidance & support.

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The funding, from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Research Leader Award will enable the University to establish a new Rural Mental Health Research Unit.

Research in the Unit will be developed to understand the risks of poor mental health in rural communities, to develop new approaches to prevent mental health difficulties and to identify earlier signs of mental health difficulties.

The 5-year programme will fund three new posts, including a Professor of Rural Mental Health, an Associate Professor of Suicide Prevention and a Research Fellow as well as two PhD students each year.

Professor David Green CBE DL, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Worcester, said: “I am delighted that the National Institute for Health and Care Research has awarded this major grant to establish the new Rural Mental Health Research Unit at the University of Worcester.”

He continued: “The research that this unit will conduct will help many thousands of people living in rural communities in the years ahead. This is a really positive development for the community, the NHS and the University. We are very grateful to the NIHR for this major award.”

Serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression can make it hard for people to live their daily lives, and they’re becoming more common, especially in rural areas with high levels of poverty.

Mental illnesses in rural areas can go unnoticed because of stigma, social isolation, and barriers to accessing services. People in these settings often travel long distances to reach services and are less likely to be able to access them digitally.

Professor Eleanor Bradley is Director of Research in the University’s College of Health and Science, and Principal Investigator on the programme.

She said: “The reason we need to do this research is to learn more about the experiences of people living across our rural communities, through new research designed to reflect their daily lives and experiences of mental ill-health.   This will enable us to develop our services locally, whilst understanding more about rurality as a risk to people’s mental health.”

Professor Bradley added: “We’ll be working very closely with our voluntary and community sectors because patient and public involvement is central to what we’re doing. This is about offering research to people who’ve previously been underserved by research.”

It’s expected that the research carried out here could have huge implications for the way mental health services are delivered in rural settings much more widely.

Professor Bradley said: “The research will be designed with transferability in mind, and so we’d expect to be able to share our learnings with other regions and also learn from them too.”

Professor Sally Moyle, Pro Vice Chancellor Health & Science, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our research colleagues to work across many health, voluntary, and independent sectors, bringing together a wealth of expertise to drive improvement for the region.”

Professor John-Paul Wilson, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research, at the University of Worcester and Joint Principal Investigator, said: “This programme is of great importance to the University and the wider community. It will significantly extend our already excellent research into serious mental illness.”

He added: “Crucially, it’s designed to change people’s lives for the better by preventing serious mental illness, identifying signs of serious mental illness earlier, helping people get quicker access to support, and then looking at the support they need after diagnosis.”

The programme will be delivered in partnership with the University of Birmingham’s Institute for Mental Health and regional health bodies, including the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board, the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Public Health Teams, and Primary Care.

For information on courses at the University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk

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Another massive change to the workplace comes with AI. As is often cited, many of the “jobs” today’s school-children will have don’t even exist yet. Innovation, critical thinking and creativity will be increasingly valuable. What does this mean for Herefordshire & Worcestershire specifically, and how can companies like White Heron help? Our rural economy based on agriculture and tourism, brings scope for creativity, innovation and diversification – and team-building and experiential opportunities in the big Herefordshire outdoors are a valuable part of that.
Can creativity and critical thinking be replaced by machines? We think not. And even the slickest AI cannot replace this human touch and the pleasure of experience – especially outside in nature where you can free your mind. Nurture and hang on to your valuable humans!

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Jamie Grant, 46, a former student and colleague at the University of Worcester, has already raised almost £8,000 for the RMA, The Royal Marines Charity.

A burpee is a full-body exercise that combines a squat, push-up, and jump to provide a high-intensity workout.

During his challenge, experts at the University of Worcester estimate he’ll burn between 6,000-8,000 calories, and will need to average 417 burpees per hour, or 7 per minute.

He said: “It’s very daunting! But I’m confident, I’ve got a great mindset and a strong mind, and I’ll be calling on that state of mind a lot through the 24 hours. Physically, I’ve done everything I can to train.”

Jamie served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Royal Marines before retiring from the armed forces, and after several years working in private security in the Middle East, he returned to education and studied for his degree in Sports Therapy at the University of Worcester.

He now runs a Sports Therapy Clinic, but he said he has struggled with his mental health: “I decided to reach out to the Royal Marines Charity, and I was put in touch with a therapist.”

He added: “I have been receiving weekly therapy sessions that involved a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy, and I can’t thank the charity enough for what they have done for me.”

David Hickman, Course Leader, Sports Therapy, is a former colleague and lecturer of Jamie’s. He said: “The challenge itself is both physically and mentally demanding.”

He continued: “It’s not just cardiovascular and muscular fatigue that he’ll have to cope with, but also the strain on his joints, and it’s likely he’ll need some recovery time afterwards, walking and mobilising as well as some soft-tissue therapy like a sports massage and stretching.”

He added: “The whole Sports Therapy Team at the University of Worcester are really proud of Jamie.”

If you’d like to donate, or read more about Jamie’s story, you can do so by visiting his fundraising page on Just Giving.

For information on courses at the University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk

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A dedicated team of runners from MSC Industrial Supply Co. UK is set to take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon on April 6 to raise vital funds for the mental health charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group (KPG).

Led by KPG Board Member Douglas Brown, the team is committed to supporting the charity’s mission to provide essential mental health services and initiatives. By participating in this prestigious event, they aim to raise awareness and crucial funding to help individuals struggling with mental health challenges.

The London Landmarks Half Marathon is a unique, closed-road event that takes participants past some of the capital’s most iconic sights. With thousands of runners expected to take part, the MSC team is determined to make an impact both on the course and in their fundraising efforts.

Speaking about the challenge, Douglas Brown said: “We are incredibly proud to be running in support of Kaleidoscope Plus Group. Mental health affects so many people, and the work KPG does is truly life-changing. We hope to not only raise funds but also spark important conversations about mental wellbeing.”

The team, which is a mix of seasoned runners and first-timers is encouraging supporters to contribute to their fundraising campaign to help spur them on during the race. Donations will go directly to Kaleidoscope Plus Group, helping to fund mental health services, support groups and community outreach programmes. Donations can be made at Doug Brown is fundraising for The Kaleidoscope Plus Group

Together, we can make a difference—one mile, one conversation, one challenge at a time.

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Unveiling the Realities of the UK’s Sandwich Generation: Navigating the Intersection of Career, Family, and Caregiving

As the dawn of International Women’s Day approaches, it’s a poignant moment to delve into the complex dynamics of the “Sandwich Generation” – a reality that resonates deeply with many modern businesswomen. Dr. Kirsten Protherough, a seasoned GP and the founder of Home Visit Healthcare, offers insights into the pressures faced by today’s women and provides pragmatic tips for managing the intricate dance of career, family, and caregiving responsibilities.

Feeling the Squeeze of the Sandwich Generation?

Balancing the demands of caring for children while attending to increasingly dependent parents can feel like a Herculean task, particularly for women who have postponed childbearing until later in life. For many businesswomen, the challenges become palpable when navigating the complexities of family life alongside an entrepreneurial career. Have we, as a generation, been led to believe we can effortlessly “have it all”?

Alleviating the Unprecedented Pressure of Dependent Parents: Top Tips

Many individuals in the Sandwich generation, typically aged 40 and above, find themselves juggling full-time jobs, childcare duties, and eldercare responsibilities, often leaving them feeling frazzled. Dr. Protherough offers some practical advice to ease this burden:

1. Know Your Work Rights: Stay informed about your rights as an informal carer. Recent changes to the Care Act entitle informal carers to one week of unpaid carer’s leave annually.

2. Engage with the Third Sector: Take advantage of online resources from organizations such as Age UK, Dementia UK, and Carers UK, which offer valuable information and support services for free.

3. Utilize Online Shopping: Make use of online shopping to assist your relatives in receiving necessary products conveniently at their doorstep. Engage distant relatives who are eager to offer support but live far away.

4. Take Care of Legals: Arrange lasting power of attorney for health and welfare before your loved one loses their capacity to provide you with this essential support.

5. Prioritize Your Well-being: Rid yourself of guilt and prioritize your own well-being by attending screening appointments, maintain any vaccinations required, and maintain social connections.

6. Share the Load: Organise rotas and create WhatsApp groups within your family to share caregiving responsibilities for elderly relatives.

Taking Control and Aging Positively: What’s Within Our Control

Experiencing a decline in a parent’s health while raising a young child can profoundly shape our perspective on aging. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of prioritising our own well-being to effectively care for our loved ones. Sir Chris Whitty’s message from his annual report, Health in an ageing society, highlights the significance of maintaining good health as we age. Simple actions like regular exercise, mental stimulation, a balanced diet, moderation of alcohol intake, and quitting smoking remain effective strategies for promoting physical and mental well-being.

Celebrating Successes and Prioritising Health

For businesswomen juggling multiple responsibilities, it’s essential to celebrate successes, prioritise health, and persevere. By embracing these principles, we can navigate the complexities of the Sandwich generation with resilience.

To learn more about Home Visit Healthcare’s positive ageing assessments and comprehensive reviews for older adults.

Visit: www.homevisithealthcare.co.uk

Call us on: 0330 133 9093

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Our latest sessions are being offered to you, as a small to medium business, operating within Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Below is a brief outline of what to expect and I have also attached a flyer for your attention.

The session (90 minutes)

Find out how to:

• Reduce stigma around mental health in the workplace and promote help seeking behaviour
• Increase awareness of support available and embed suicide prevention within company culture
• Promote the use of tools and resources to help maintain good emotional wellbeing

The Venue

To avoid any operational down time or reduced workforce, WE COME TO YOU. This offer is available to Small, Medium and Large businesses based in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

The cost

All sessions are fully funded by Worcestershire County Council We come to you for FREE, deliver training and continue to offer support once we’ve left the building.

We have already successfully delivered sessions throughout Worcestershire and are looking forward to delivering more In both Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the feedback has been incredibly positive with many organisations looking to book additional sessions for more of their workforce.

For any further questions or to book a session for your team, please email: Info@toughenoughtocare.org

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Dave and Josie will be talking about pillars of mental health and wellbeing, and also discussing a new approach to manage mental health and wellbeing in individuals, teams and organisations.

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