Brain in Hand wins Diversity in Disability Tech of the Year at Burberry British Diversity Awards
UK-based digital healthcare company Brain in Hand, which supplies products focused on supported self-management, has won Diversity in Tech (Disability) of the Year at this year’s Burberry Diversity Awards.
The celebration welcomed over 1,000 celebrities and business leaders championing diversity and inclusion.
Brain in Hand received the award for its work supporting the neurodiverse community. The company takes a transformational approach to creating equal access to support with its digital self-management system, which helps autistic people or people facing mental health challenges to live independently, reduce anxiety, and manage their wellbeing.
Through harnessing the power of technology, Brain in Hand offers a unique combination of practical solution-focused coaching, simple digital tools, and 24/7 on-demand human support.
“There are one million autistic people in the UK, only one in five of whom are in work,” commented Dr Louise Morpeth, CEO of Brain in Hand. “That means 4 in 5 are not. That is a terrible waste of human potential. We, as a society, can and should do so much better. At Brain in Hand, we are here to make the world a fairer and more accessible place. We work to break down the barriers that prevent so many people from participating in society and living life to the full.”
Dr Morpeth added: “We recognise the immense importance of giving a voice and support to marginalised communities – of amplifying the voices of neurodivergent people, not speaking on their behalf. We endeavour to continue our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion and ensure that it is integrated into all aspects of our practices.”
This award is hot on the heels of a recent independent study conducted by CIDER (Cornwall Intellectual Disability Equitable Research of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust/University of Plymouth). The study found that Brain in Hand significantly reduced anxiety, self-injurious behaviour, and memory and orientation problems, demonstrating the positive psychological outcomes that can be achieved through providing digital support to autistic adults or those on the waiting list for an assessment.
This is amid news that the number of people waiting for an NHS autism assessment has increased by 40% in the last year, according to the National Autistic Society, with 121,000 people waiting longer than 13 weeks.
Brain in Hand aims to support services that improves the lives of autistic people and those living with neurological differences or mental health difficulties. From small beginnings, the company has expanded to over 140 employees, both neurodivergent and neurotypical, and currently operates across 60 different locations in the UK. The company is approved by the Department for Education as a tool for supporting students through higher education.
