Supporting Second Chance
Simple Steps launches multimedia support package for parents
Simple Steps is a Belfast based social enterprise offering a pioneering, parent‑led, interactive online teaching‑tool that makes support affordable for parents coping with Autism. Building on the experiences of real families, Simple Steps unites the worlds of science, academia, charity, health, creativity and innovation.
Jason Lodge, project manager, Adrian Logan,managing director, Patchwork, Daireen Diver, MSc student, Dr Norry McBride, course director
Patchwork (Ireland) Ltd, a non‑profit making Christian organisation that provides support for individuals who have experienced circumstantial change or trauma, is making the final preparations for the launch of their new Social Enterprise, Second Chance.
The new strategy has been developed as a stand‑alone social enterprise in the North West offering a clearance service to the public, organisations and private businesses, as well as encouraging the donation of household goods. Products that can be up‑ cycled will be repaired or given a makeover. This will provide opportunities for Patchwork clients to learn new skills and re‑introduce routine into their lives, while being mentored in a safe environment as they progress towards employment again. The marketing and communication strategy for the project was developed by Ulster graduate, Daireen Diver, as part of her MSc Applied Management dissertation. Daireenʼs strategy provides a concise and coherent route to market, while addressing possible pitfalls and challenges that may be encountered along the way. Adrian Logan, managing director at Patchwork welcomed Ulsterʼs input: “The support of the Ulster Business School and the advice and knowledge of the team there, led by Dr Norry McBride, has proved to be a real benefit to this project and a source of expertise that we couldnʼt have done without.”
The project is funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme.
Simple Steps helps parents to take the first steps to become a parent therapist through this self‑help teaching tool, introducing parents to Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) ‒ a science with a proven track record for the treatment of Autism. Delivered through an Online Platform, it offers parents and professionals access via the internet 24/7. Supporting tools include animated tutorials, video materials, practical resources, real life stories, professional advice and regular updates.
Combining the technology of web, multimedia and animation through an online teaching platform is an innovative new way of bridging the current void in services available to parents/professionals. In designing the tool, Simple Steps however needed to develop a mechanism which would correctly and individually record and measure behaviours online and provide evaluation reports to users through the online platform. In this way the science of ABA could be truly applied in a practical setting.
Having secured support from Invest Northern Ireland through an Innovation Voucher, Simple Steps partnered with the University of Ulster to access support. Dr Stephen Gallagher and Dr Mickey Keenan from the University of Ulsterʼs
School of Psychology used their dedicated expertise in the area of ABA and autism to offer the expert knowledge.
The University team alongside Manleys creative skills scripted and storyboarded animations with the Simple Steps creative team, presented the materials in a scientifically accurate yet parent friendly manner and then implemented changes as highlighted through a focus group of users. Having outlined the requirements to effectively record and measure behaviour, Dr Gallagher and Dr Keenan made recommendations for adopting it to an online environment.
Professor Lester Manley, chairman of Simple Steps, said: “Thanks to the unique expertise in ABA available from the University of Ulster, we at Simple Steps have been able to assist parents who are desperate for help.” “Significantly, also, this is a good example of a project that has been developed in Northern Ireland by Northern Irish people which is making a growing impact in Europe.”
Bringing innovative design solutions to Search and Rescue
ʻRescue 118ʼ deals with stern challenges posed by the Atlantic Ocean and the cliff top environment along the north‑west coast of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The aircraft is often called upon to rescue casualties from remote rural areas, greatly reducing the transfer time to hospital. They ensure that casualties are treated to the highest level on scene and/or en route to hospital.
Final year students of ʻDesign for Creative Practiceʼ from the School of Creative Arts, at the University of Ulster, visited the Search and Rescue base in Strandhill at the end of last year. Following a briefing from Captain Ciaran Ferguson and the SAR crew, the design students were tasked with creating innovative design solutions to enhance, simplify or assist the SAR team in their tasks, workflow and communication. Some concepts developed included visual identity, app development to improve crew communication, 3D/product design, as well as awareness campaigns for Rescue118 and
www.businessfirstonline.co.uk 72
112/999. Some students are progressing the concepts further towards major projects. This project was approved by CHC Ireland Management and the Irish Coast Guard and was warmly welcomed by the base Chief Pilot, Ccptain Martin Wood and capt. Ciaran Ferguson. The project was implemented by Padraic Lynch, lecturer in Visual Communication and assisted by Robin Hodge, lecturer in Graphic Design, Dr Justin Magee, senior lecturer in Product Design and Billy Scampton, technician and School of Creative Arts Health and Safety Coordinator. A short film of the visit at:
http://vimeo.com/32826434
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