Shower safety device awarded financial backing from University of Oxford initiative
Shower safety device ShowerSpaah, a product designed to help people shower more safely and independently, has received investment from ImpactU, a University of Oxford-backed initiative supporting early-stage social ventures.
Dr Philippa Christoforou RTTP, Social Ventures Lead at Oxford University Innovation, commented: “At Oxford University Innovation, we back mission-led companies that translate simple, well-designed ideas into meaningful, real-world impact.
“Through ImpactU, we’re proud to support founders tackling everyday challenges. ShowerSpaah is a great example of how thoughtful innovation can support independence, dignity and safer living, particularly for older people and those with disabilities.”
ShowerSpaah makes showers safer by allowing users to wash without ever letting go of grab rails to reach for slippery soap bottles. This reduces the risk of falls, one of the most common reasons older people are forced to leave their homes and enter supported care.
By keeping the soap in the water, not in your hands, ShowerSpaah helps people stay safe, clean, and confident, supporting their ability to live longer and more independently at home.
According to ShowerSpaah, the product is already in use in over 800 homes, care settings, and supported-living environments across the UK. Many users are older adults or people with disabilities who want to stay independent in their own bathrooms for longer.
Now, with support from the ImpactU Pathfinder Award, the team behind ShowerSpaah will be scaling production and working to make it available more widely for care homes through healthcare distributors and local authorities.
The technology, developed by British inventor Alan Somerfield and patent protected, is designed to work with virtually any handheld shower and is easily fitted without needing a plumber. A double soap-and-shampoo version is currently in development, with a refill organiser planned for later this year.
Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that falls remain a leading cause of injury among older adults in the UK, with home hazard assessments significantly reducing risks.
