Media Contact:

Alan Matthews, Automated Spaces Ltd

01664 500552

alan.matthews@automatedspaces.co.uk

8th Dec 2024 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Subject: Evolution of Digital Skills for Care and Assistive Technology in Health & Care Environments

As part of the Government ‘Local Skills Improvement Fund’ initiative, Automated Spaces was recently awarded a contract to create a ‘first of its kind in the world’ demonstration space to showcase the art of the possible with regards to independent living technologies in 6 separate further education colleges in Kent and Medway. The project was split across 3 different college groups; East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) (Broadstairs, Canterbury & Folkestone), MidKent College (Gillingham) and North Kent College (Dartford & Tonbridge).  

The demonstration spaces incorporate Automated Spaces unique ‘Independent Living Smart Spaces’ approach of combining smart home solutions and a connected care platform, to proactively assist people to live independently. They provide an immersive environment that allows students to learn increasingly critical skills in the healthcare sector and visitors to be shown this new ‘Evolution of Independent Living Technologies’.

“It really is fantastic that we are going to be able to showcase our unique approach to providing independent living technology assistance to people across several use case scenarios. These demonstration spaces will be provide a great platform for the next generation of healthcare professionals, as well as local stakeholders and business owners in the healthcare sector, to immerse themselves in solutions that can provide such positive outcomes.” said Alan Matthews, Managing Director of Automated Spaces.

The spaces have initially been created, to highlight the positive outcomes that can be provided, across 3 specific scenarios:

1. Person living at home with Dementia
2. Residential Care Setting
3. Sheltered Housing

There are a wide array of independent living technology solutions included in the spaces; from a variety of manufacturers of home automation solutions to a connected care platform providing healthcare monitoring and insights. “We are working with many great manufacturers and service providers, such as Control4, to provide a comprehensive portfolio of solutions” said Matthews.

The rollout of the demonstration spaces, across the 6 colleges, began in the middle of March and ended in April. “It has been a pleasure to work with the various colleges and especially the lead team for the project, at EKC Group, we can’t wait to see the reaction from students, adult learners and external visitors to the spaces” said Matthews.

Paul Sayers, Chief Information and Strategy Officer at EKC Group, said “Creating these spaces is a key element of our Local Skills Improvement Plan project. We have worked closely with a number of stakeholders and care sector organisations to make sure these new facilities enable us to directly address current and future skills needs in the sector. It has been amazing to see the spaces become a reality. They are complemented by a suite of new assistive technology and digital courses carefully contextualised to the health and social care sector, which range across Levels 1 to Level 5, from ‘Functional Skills for Health & Care’ to Managing Assistive Technology in Health & Care Environments. These courses will equip our students with the skills they need to progress to successful careers and the current workforce with the skills and confidence to understand and apply the principles of assistive technology, across a wide range of settings.”

The colleges are also opening the demonstration spaces to stakeholders in the Health & Social Care sector in the region e.g., NHS, Home Improvement Agencies, Housing Associations, Care Home and Sheltered Housing Providers. Some 350 students are expected to benefit from these facilities per year.

The feedback from the college’s academic staff, after the initial installation and staff training sessions, has been very enthusiastic. “I’m delighted that our students have access to this cutting-edge technology and to short courses which credit their knowledge and skills in assistive devices and systems. This allows them to become not only the first choice for employers in the care sector, but the kind of workforce of the future that can utilise these technologies to make a significant difference to the quality of life of individuals under their care." said Mark Andrews, Deputy Executive Principal Strategy & Curriculum of North Kent College.

“At MidKent College we’re committed to equipping our students with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of health and social care. The integration of these demonstration spaces marks a significant step forward in bridging education and real-world application. By allowing our students to engage with cutting-edge independent living technologies, we are preparing them to meet the demands of modern care environments and to champion innovative, person-centred solutions. This initiative embodies our mission to foster adaptable, skilled professionals who can make a meaningful impact in their communities,” said Claire Bush, Director of Digital and Care at MidKent College.

The first courses to utilise the new curriculums and demonstration suites commence in January 2025. “We’re really looking forward to receiving the feedback from the students and staff using the demonstration suites, in the next academic intake, to see if there are any further enhancements that can be made. We are really excited to be part of this innovative project to help train the next generation of Health & Care professionals” Said Matthews.

About Automated Spaces

A breath of fresh air in the smart home, bespoke home cinema and independent living technology sector. Bringing a level of professionalism and transparency, to client interactions, only seen in organisations that are truly dedicated to providing levels of service that continually exceed expectations. Automated Spaces is totally focused on helping our clients to demystify ‘Smart Home, Home Cinema and Independent Living Technology’. Automated Spaces is a CEDIA Member of Excellence.

To learn more about Automated Spaces, visit www.automatedspaces.co.uk

About East Kent Colleges Group

Is a family of six community-based Colleges and nine Training Centres across East Kent, our mission is to play a leading role for East Kent in developing the economic and social prosperity of the diverse communities we serve.

To learn more about EKC Group, visit www.ekcgroup.ac.uk

About MidKent College

A GOOD local College for Medway and Maidstone. Every year over 6000 students from Medway, Maidstone and beyond choose MidKent College to continue their studies and prepare for their future career.

To learn more about MidKent College, visit www.midkent.ac.uk

About North Kent College

The North Kent College portfolio consists of four unique campuses: Dartford, Gravesend, Tonbridge, and Hadlow (Kent’s only rural and land-based college). All our campuses serve their local communities, offering a broad range of programmes, enrichment, and progression opportunities.

To learn more about North Kent College, visit www.northkent.ac.uk or www.hadlow.ac.uk

About Local Skills Improvement Fund

The skills for jobs white paper set out the government’s blueprint for reshaping the technical skills system to better meet the needs of employers and the wider economy.

As part of this new approach, the Department for Education (DfE) introduced local skills improvement plans (LSIPs) and a new local skills improvement fund (LSIF), which replaces the strategic development fund referred to in the white paper.

Local skills improvement plans

LSIPs provide an agreed set of actionable priorities that employers, providers and other stakeholders in a local area can get behind to drive change.

LSIPs:

• place employers at the heart of local skills systems
• facilitate direct and dynamic working arrangements between employers, providers and local stakeholders
• help learners gain the skills they need to get good jobs and increase prospects

Local Skills Improvement Fund - Link

Photographs that can be included with article:

Contact us on +44(0)1664 500552 for photographs that can be used with this article