Remap

Last week Michael visited the Kemsing-based charity Remap, home to an army of ingenious volunteer inventors who work alongside occupational therapists to provide bespoke equipment and gadgets for disabled people to enable them to live with greater independence and quality of life.  The inventions are not available to buy commercially and have helped over 3,500 people a year in the UK.

Some Remap inventions to date have included built-in ramps to assist with wheelchair access, custom-made paintbrushes to help those suffering from arthritis and pushchairs attached to a belt to enable parents who aren’t able to walk without assistance.

Remap’s Chief Executive, David Martin, said: “It was a pleasure to host Sir Michael at Remap, showing him our custom-made inventions and explaining some of the challenges we face.  Remap has the capacity to help more people lead more independent lives, but in order to do that we need more funding to improve our advertising and spread the word.”

Michael replied that “Remap’s volunteers do brilliant work to help people lead more independent lives, and are only paid expenses and for the cost of the parts of their inventions.  They are yet another example of the innovation here in Sevenoaks and I will be writing to the Minister for Disabled People, urging her to take a look at Remap’s work.”