Staying at home and avoiding physical contact with others is absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of all people, especially that of the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.
But these vulnerable people are also the ones who need most support during this time of difficulty. With that in mind, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has put a call out to find and fund innovators who can find digital ways to help people in need during the coronavirus outbreak.
Named TechForce19, the competition is looking for technology-based solutions to support communities looking after isolated and vulnerable people who may be most affected by having to remain housebound for long periods of time.
As many as 20 entrants will receive £25,000 from the government to test their solutions, which could include: providing remote social care from qualified carers; developing tools that find out where support is needed the most; and helping people take care of both their physical and mental health.