RISE 2022, growing healthy communities
More than 50 people gathered at Dungowan Station near Tamworth to build solutions to problem statements, each addressing challenges to growing healthy communities.
Teams made up of school and university students, healthcare professionals, researchers and other community members, spent an intensive day devising solutions to real problems, then each team landed a pitch with potential to make real impact!
RISE is part of UNE SMART Region Incubator’s program of Innovation Challenges.
“Innovation challenges combine diverse talents to develop solutions, and human-centred design thinking generates rapid prototyping of ideas that grow into opportunities,” said Dr Lou Conway, UNE SRI Director.
“This was demonstrated again at RISE 2022!”
The ‘sprint & pitch’ hackathon held on 10 & 11 November, brought people together to create innovative solutions to healthcare issues faced by our regional communities. The theme ‘Growing Healthy Communities’ guided thinking around the three problem statements:
Health Education: Health challenges are often a result of poor health habits and choices that are embedded from an early age. How can we change long-term health outcomes by focusing on better education of children, today?
Aged Care: Maintaining independence and social connection is key to enabling the elderly to live at home longer, therefore, alleviating pressure on the residential aged care system (which is predicted to have a staffing shortfall of 110,000 by 2025). How can we enable the elderly to remain independent at home with an enhanced quality of life – covering nutrition, physical independence (mobility) social connection and mental well-being?
Mental Health: Mental health has a huge impact on every aspect of people's lives. It affects behaviour, physical health, work, and relationships, as well as the people around them. How can we improve mental health throughout the community?
Teams worked together to generate viable business ideas:
ChangeUp App – A ‘TikTok’ inspired, short video clip app + platform designed reimagine the delivery of health education content aimed a teen audience addressing ‘taboo’ topics including sexual health, drugs & alcohol, and mental health.
Team 4 U – In-school program aimed specifically at Yr. 7 students to monitor mental health and address issues before they reach crisis point.
CIC Care – an app to develop connectedness, independence, and a sense of community for the aged to prevent isolation, loneliness and improve overall health outcomes.
The Village – a central community hub located in regional communities, providing access to a range of health & support services in a physical space that helps improve social well-being and mental health.
WeSole – An at-home cleaning product kit that enables families to create effective household cleaners without toxic chemicals, created with long-term global health & environmental outcomes in mind.
You’re Not Alone – a regular, in-person, community event providing connection & expert advice to help those experiencing mental health challenges and isolation.
It is expected that each of these solutions will be further explored and developed in an intensive pre-accelerator program being delivered by UNE SRI in early 2023!
Learn more about RISE HERE
