Harp Healthcare Training & Support

Aim

My aim is to provide bespoke training, therapy and support services to healthcare and education settings in order to empower others.

My story 

I believe that communication is essential to all areas of life and from the age of 16 I committed to pursuing a career in Speech and Language Therapy. My passion for supporting and teaching others started from a young age when I taught dance to children; here I gained an appreciation of the importance of effective communication when teaching. With over 15 years’ experience in the healthcare setting, I currently work with adults who have an acquired neurological impairment. My role entails providing intervention, via assessment, disability management and therapy, to individuals who have experienced brain injuries. My focus is on dealing with swallowing difficulties, communication impairments and tracheostomy management. 

My vision 

Over the course of my professional career I have witnessed a decline in the funds and resources allocated to the NHS and education sector. This means that people aren’t provided with sufficient, frequent training in order to optimise input or care. There can be a lack of awareness of the importance of aspects including how to communicate effectively so that an individual can convey their basic needs, position someone to increase independence and assist someone to eat and drink safely. Without expert training in these areas there is an increased risk of vulnerability, isolation, pressure sores, infections and choking to those being cared for. Similarly the amount and intensity of therapy that an individual has access to can be minimal depending, for example, on the staff levels and resources of the NHS team. My company aims to empower others with focused and effective access to the best training and therapy meaning better support for all. Humans take communication and basic skills like the ability to breathe, eat and swallow for granted. 

Many of us also believe that we will not have to deal with an emergency and that ‘these things won’t happen to me’. But did you know: 

- That approximately 50% of people who suffer a stroke experience swallowing difficulties leading to the inability to eat and drink safely. Many of these individuals are reliant on others to look after them and ensure their basic needs are met. 

-That 8 out of 10 parents do not know basic first aid procedures that might save their child’s life. 

I want to ensure that professionals and non-professionals who care for others, be it family members or paid carers, have access to the best training and support possible by highly skilled experts who are able to impart their up-to-date knowledge in a relaxed and comfortable environment in order to promote the optimum carryover of learning. 

My team 

My team consists of highly skilled healthcare professionals such as Ambulance Associate Practitioners, Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists who have a passion for teaching and supporting others. 

The competition 

My main competitors are: 

•First aid training companies that provide first aid qualifications. •Independent Allied Health professionals, such as Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists, who tend to focus on the provision of 1:1 therapy but may also offer training if required. 

How I differ? 

There are some companies who provide accredited qualifications such as First Aid at Work and Manual Handling training. However, there appears to be limited companies whose focus is on providing healthcare related training that is accessible to all. 

My focus is to provide bespoke training packages tailored to the needs of the group/individuals. Where possible this will be delivered in a place of their choice such as home, school or nursing home to enhance the care they provide. In addition to the training packages, I will be offering private therapy using the advanced clinical skills and knowledge my team have acquired from their roles in the healthcare and education environment. 

Finally, I recognise the importance of having access to support avenues such as supervision, coaching and mentoring, in order to ensure the provision of high quality services, professional development and individual wellbeing. Therefore, in addition to training and therapy, my aim is to provide these types of support services. 

How will I use the money raised? 

This investment would enable me to cover set up costs, promote my company and run the initial training sessions. 

My aim is to raise £1850 with a stretch target of £2000. 

Items & cost:

- Build a website: £1000 

- First year of annual regulator membership in order to deliver accredited first aid qualifications: £400 

- Equipment & resources: £300 

- Advertisement and marketing: £150 Items 

If stretch target achieved the additional money will be spent on:

- Initial room hire for public courses: £150

This project successfully funded on 21st October 2019