NEWS
AI WELLBEING COMPANION FOR NEURODIVERGENT WOMEN AND DIGITAL PHARMACIST TRAINING PLATFORM AMONG MAYOR’ S BIG IDEAS CHALLENGE FINALISTS
Nineteen West Yorkshire businesses have been named as finalists in the £ 1 million Mayor’ s big ideas challenge, each receiving a £ 20,000 grant and skills package to support a nine-month innovation journey.
The competition supports local small- and medium-sized enterprises( SMEs) to develop products and services aimed at tackling health inequalities in the region. Finalist innovations include an AI wellbeing companion designed for neurodivergent women, a digital training service for pharmacists and an AI-powered speech and language platform to help children in underserved communities.
Launched in February by Mayor Tracy Brabin as part of her plan for growth, the challenge will see three winners announced in March 2026, each awarded an additional £ 100,000 to commercialise their solutions.
“ These finalists represent the very best of West Yorkshire’ s talent, ingenuity and determination to drive positive change,” said Brabin.“ Through bold, innovative thinking, each of these businesses are tackling serious health challenges and we’ re supporting them to turn their creative ideas into concrete action.”
The initiative, delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and supported by Challenge Works, addresses disparities in life expectancy and health outcomes across the region.
“ The 19 finalists have come up with inspiring answers to these challenges. Rooted in personal stories and experiences, the innovations range from products such as wearables that reduce hospital visits, to programmes for teens that combat poor body image and support groups to aid the recovery of those who are healing from traumatic experiences. There is real potential for these solutions to not only improve health inequality across the region, but to effect broader economic, social and civic change,” said Kathy Nothstine, Director of Cities and Societies, Challenge Works.
BOUYGUES UK APPOINTED AS CONSTRUCTION PARTNER FOR CAMBRIDGE CHILDREN’ S HOSPITAL
Bouygues UK has been awarded the contract for Cambridge Children’ s Hospital, a revolutionary facility set to transform healthcare for young people. In partnership with Arcadis, Terrell International and AECOM, Bouygues UK will deliver a hospital that integrates physical and mental health services with research in an unprecedented way.
Cambridge Children’ s Hospital is designed as a world-first facility, pioneering a comprehensive approach to children’ s health by seamlessly combining physical and mental healthcare. This integrated model will enhance research into disease prevention and early diagnosis, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children and young people, including those with cancer.
The hospital will span approximately 35,000 square metres over six primary floors, targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and aligning with the NHS’ s Net Zero Carbon objectives. Bouygues UK’ s commitment to sustainability is reflected in the design, which incorporates air source heat pumps and photovoltaic cells to meet these targets.
The purpose-built facility is being co-created with valuable input from young people, families and healthcare professionals, ensuring it meets the unique needs of its patients. By integrating facilities wherever possible, the hospital acknowledges that many children with mental health conditions also face physical health challenges, and vice versa, offering truly holistic care.
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