A cashless solution for adults with learning disabilities designed to support independent living has been selected as the winner at this year’s Care Innovation Challenge 2022.

Team CHIP will receive £1,000 in prize money, media coverage and further mentoring to develop their idea after beating four other finalists following a public vote at The Care Show.

Professor Vic Rayner OBE, chief executive of the National Care Forum and chair of the judging panel, said: “All the teams competing have made a stellar effort to accelerate their ideas since the Challenge weekend, taking full advantage of a number of webinars, access to helpful resources and further mentoring from our sponsors including those with lived experience. Every team has aimed to address at least one of the biggest challenges in the sector. They are the people who are key to create change in social care. In my eyes, all are winners.

“However, we did have to pick one team to receive the prize. Team CHIP’s idea of a cashless solution for adults with learning disabilities to support independent living demonstrates how important co-production is, as it puts the voice of adults with learning disabilities at the centre of the innovation.”

Team Star offered the idea of local re-ablement and assessments with housing for people living with dementia. Team Myghty’s innovation was an app to foster employee recognition and team working to improve staff retention. Team Care Tech Guide presented a well-developed idea focused on accelerating digital transformation in care.  Team Fall Free’s idea was a solution to prevent falls and fractures in older people.

Mentors have included representatives from Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) through their National Co-production Advisory Group (NCAG) , ensuring that people with lived experience are an integral part of creating solutions and from the sponsors which include RWK Goodman, QCS, Person Centred Software, Marrgo, Home Instead, Hilton Nursing Partners, Hallmark Foundation, Greensleeves Care, Care Matched, Care Friends, BRAN Investment, Borough Care and apetito.

Applications for next year’s Care Innovation Challenge 2023 are now open. Creative thinkers, or anyone who has a passion for making ideas a reality and people who want to make a positive difference to people’s lives are invited to apply at www.careinnovationhub.org.uk