A sense of connection in isolation
Coronavirus has affected all of us.
Not only has it spread globally, resulting in a pandemic that’s impacting the economy and our day-to-day lives, but the enforced social distancing has, for some of us, affected our mental health.
In September, Northumbrian Water plans to explore how innovation can reduce the impact of isolation on the world’s population and improve productivity, health and safety, and mental wellbeing at its four-day Innovation Festival.
The ‘Isolation Innovation’ sprint is being led by global festival partner, Wipro Limited, a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, and will be made up of influential, innovative minds and industry experts from organisations right around the world.
They will be working together virtually, to explore how wearable technologies can be applied in times of Covid19 and social distancing, as well as more generally, to help bring people together.
From smart watches to virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers to smart clothing, wearable tech uses sensors to connect to people, helping them to achieve their goals such as staying fit and active, being more organised or tracking overall mental and physical health.
The group will be looking for opportunities to bring smart technology to a new audience, understanding what biometric data can be collected, how it can be interpreted and how it can be used to enhance lives, whether that’s for those social distancing or even lone working in general.
Kay Penney, Northumbrian Water’s HR Director, said: “People are at the heart of everything we do here at Northumbrian Water and our Innovation Festivals are all about looking at ways in which we can make a real, tangible difference to people’s lives, whether that’s improving the way they work, live or play.
“We know that this year has been particularly tough on everyone in one way or another, and social distancing comes at a very real threat to our mental health. We want to help the world build back better following the pandemic, and we’re very excited to make steps towards this by beginning this sprint, led by our platinum sponsors, Wipro Limited.”
Sarat Chand, Vice President, EMEA Utilities Business Head at Wipro Limited, said: “We are delighted and honoured to support Northumbrian Water’s virtual Innovation Festival this year.
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Wipro and it is particularly relevant on this occasion as many businesses strive to find normality in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health and safety of employees and customers alike are of vital importance and critical to economic recovery not only in the UK but globally.
“We are geared up to participate in this festival and contribute to building innovative solutions that will help make the world a safer place to live in and perform normal working practices.”
To find out more about the ‘Isolation Innovation’ sprint, as well as the other sprints on offer at this year’s festival, which takes place online between 14 – 17 September, see innovationfestival.org.
For further media information, call 0333 321 4841.
Notes to Editors: Northumbrian Water Limited supplies 2.7 million customers in the North East with both water and sewerage services, trading as Northumbrian Water, and 1.8 million customers in the South East with water services, trading as Essex & Suffolk Water.
In 2019, Northumbrian Water Group named the world's most ethical water company for the eighth time and were award 19th Best Place to Work in the Sunday Time Best Big Companies to Work For. Northumbrian Water was also named the number one place to work in the North East.
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