'Your idea has a 3% chance of succeeding and we take 3 years to make a decision. do you still want to do it?'
The Situation
On any given night over 200,000 families and individuals experience homelessness across England. This is has increased by more than 165% since 2010. Despite the government target to end homelessness by the end of this parliament, with the step cost of living rises, the experts agree this situation will get worse.
Within the NAPpad is a non-invasive, monitoring system, known as vytalsign. vytalsign uses radar and sensor technology to non-invasively track core signs of life such as breathing and movement to help ensure the protection of people experiencing a chaotic lifestyle in a safe and dignified way.
The Task
Protectal was established in 2019, after Director, Peter Wood, engaged with charities, field workers, policy makers, council leadership and rough sleepers to suggest a solution to an unaddressed gap in provision and to understand the challenges and complexities of this issue.
The Action / Approach
The outcome of this was, with the input of The Salvation Army, to design and develop an innovative (and mobile), accommodation facility, (NAPpad), to offer safety and secure shelter for rough sleepers and to mitigate risks for the service operators.
Within the NAPpad is a sensor system, known as vytalsign which checks for vital signs and is to ensure dignity for people using them the NAPpads.
The vytalsign system uses radar, sensor technology and artificial intelligence to ‘learn’ the environment and occupant within it, to non-invasively track core signs of life such as breathing and movement. On identifying an issue, the system sends an alert to a local telecentre service who trigger a blue light and operator response.
The Result
- The pilot NAPpad has 68 services users in 8 Months. 2 people dropped out, (1 to return to his family), one removed for behaviour. Every other service use is on various stages of permanent accommodation and off the streets.
- The product has been trialled for other service users, including working homeless, who are able to sleep safe, whilst saving for deposits and rent.
- The vytalsign system has already been identified and requested for use as part of drug treatment & recovery research. We believe the system can be utilised for further use in police or prison cells and to tackle Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
- The product has been endorsed by government.
- Invited to advise the Governments ‘Centre for Partnering Group’ on Transformation Relational Dividends, to provide enhanced function and financial benefits.
- Became the first and only strategic partner to one of the worlds leading charities.
