Roaringly Precious

Aim

To create a clothing line especially designed for the elderly and dementia sufferers to help them retain style, independence and comfort.

My name is Sara Harris, I have a degree in design and garment construction. As someone who is very aware of our ageing population and the increase in dementia (850,000 estimated in the UK- 'https://www.dementiastatistics.org/statistics-about-dementia/prevalence/') I am very passionate in designing a line of clothing that would be specifically tailored to elderly people and those in the earlier stages of dementia hold onto their independence. I also want to include garments catered to those in the later stages of dementia with more practical aspects built into the clothing.
I have been working on the designs for about 2 years and coming up with different ideas to suit different needs, I have also taken time to research and investigate what needs are out there and how they can be met through dementia charities and nursing homes. I have learnt the different struggles people face when dealing with such an unpredictable illness. I have begun drawing up patterns for different garments and am trying to begin to make final garments from fabric before I can advertise them for sale.
I have now come to a stage in the development process that requires cash investment of which I am struggling to find. Fabric/ thread/ a designing consultant and legal standards all require payment.

To get my clothing line off the ground I need money for: 

- a product design consultant to go over the designs and prototypes with me to make sure they are most effective in meeting customer needs.

- fabric

- thread

- seamstress wage to produce samples of the final clothing line ( this will enable me to work alongside someone so that we can double the workforce and reduce the time of developement to market)

- A photographer to produce pictures for people to see the final clothing line ready for market.  

With a lump sum I can develop my ideas into garments which could then be sold making them available for you to buy for elderly relatives or for them to purchase for themselves with high street pricing in mind. It would mean that men could keep wearing their smart trousers with comfort details built in instead of them having to go around in modern tracksuit bottoms which feel alien and unfamiliar. It would mean ladies could retain their individual style. and saver their independence. By donating to this cause you would be helping a product be launched off the ground which would help 1000s of elderly people feel that little bit more 'like their old self' as they face one of the most disastrous illnesses in the UK today.

This project successfully funded on 31st December 2019