A Saltburn woman has turned her heartbreak from devastating losses into an opportunity to help patients with dementia.
Lou Willis-Keller, from North Yorkshire, has designed a product to provide comfort for people experiencing anxiety, agitation or emotional distress - particularly those living with dementia, receiving palliative care or coping with grief and trauma.
Built into familiar and comforting objects such as cushions and teddy bears, the technology draws on research into nervous system regulation, sensory grounding and the ways touch can help people feel calm and reassured.
The former NSPCC child protection manager launched Souuthe after a series of devastating personal losses, including the death of her mother following a terminal diagnosis.
The idea became more of a reality when an early prototype was used by Lou's mother during her palliative care.
The technology is placed into comforting and familiar objects such as teddy bears.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto/Massonstock)
Since then, Lou has lost three other family members within the space of 10 months, strengthening her determination to create a non-medication-based source of comfort.
Her calming support tool, inspired by the science behind a hug, has won £75,000 to help bring the technology to market.
Lou is one of 61 women entrepreneurs across the UK to receive an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award.
The £75,000 grant will be used to fund clinical testing and support the product's regulatory approval process ahead of planned trials with local hospices and NHS trusts.
Lou will also receive 12 months of business support through Innovate UK, including mentoring, training and networking opportunities.
Explaining the inspiration behind Souuthe, the company says the device is designed to provide a steady, comforting sensation when held close to the body, helping users feel "more settled, more connected, and more in control".
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The concept is based on research exploring why hugs can have a calming effect, from the release of feel-good chemicals to the way touch can help regulate heart rate and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Innovate UK said this year's awards programme marked its 10th anniversary and attracted the highest number of applications in its history.
Emily Nott, head of Inclusive Innovation at Innovate UK, said: "Huge congratulations to everyone recognised in this year's Women in Innovation Awards.
"Reaching the 10th anniversary with record levels of engagement demonstrates the extraordinary talent and groundbreaking innovation being developed by women across the UK."
With clinical trials planned and support now secured, Souuthe's founder hopes the technology developed on Teesside could soon help provide comfort and reassurance to patients and families across the country.