We’re thrilled to announce that we have received funding through the Innovate UK £40 million boost for cutting-edge start-ups to drive forward new technological advances.
Executive Chair, Innovate UK, Dr Ian Campbell, said: “Businesses from all over the UK have answered our call rapidly to meet the challenges we face today and in the future through the power of innovation. The ideas we have seen can truly make a significant impact on society, improve the lives of individuals, especially those in vulnerable groups, and enable businesses to prosper in challenging circumstances.”
Over the next 5 months we’ll be working with our partners i-BDM and VR Simulation Systems to help independent food banks forecast and plan to meet the demand for their invaluable community services.
Foodbanks do so much more than provide food – they often act as a conduit to other local community services; advising on possible benefit entitlement and crucially offering the human touch of a listening ear and a cup of tea. The shock to the economy and social distancing has places a huge strain on food banks with donation points being closed, new venues to offer services having to be found and uncertainty over how many people will need help.
Bays Consulting will be using its data science forecasting and predictive modelling techniques to enable food banks to more accurately assess predicted demand from the local community alongside expected supply of donations. The result will be to increase the capacity for the food banks to support local families; raise awareness of the food banks in the local community and crucially reduce the planning time for volunteers at food banks so they have more time for the critical human aspects of food banks — a listening ear by someone who understands and wants to help.