HealthTech member
Peggi
Glenda Devlin - Managing Director, chats to Eagle Labs HealthTech about Peggi.
Tell us about your business.
I am a qualified Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in health and social care across the public and private sector. When my Aunt Peggy was diagnosed with dementia and was moved to a care home, I knew the potential of reminiscence therapy and I began to show her old photographs of our family and talk to her about experiences in her life. When Aunt Peggy sadly passed away, I wanted to equip other families with the tools that had improved my aunt’s wellbeing in her final years. I embarked on a journey of engagement with professionals and academics exploring effective ways to connect vulnerable people and their families.
The ‘peggi’ app was designed using findings from clinical research into reminiscence therapy, memory stimulation and ongoing service user involvement and feedback. Peggi became an award winning app aimed at building connections and reducing loneliness. I met Martin Cherry owner of Banntech who became part of Your Health & Care. Together we have developed peggi further, been successful in gaining pre seed investment and we are about to embark on a clinical validation study with the University of Northumbria as we introduce peggi into the market. Exciting times!
When did you start your business?
February 2018.
What's been your biggest highlight?
Gaining pre seed funding, winning the Health and Life Science Innovation Award and securing a universty validation study.
What's been your biggest challenge?
COVID and lockdown as we are unable to visit care homes, community services, hospitals etc.
Advice for entrepreneurs starting out
Do your research, begin with the end in mind and stay focussed. Get involved with accelerators, Barclays Eagle Lab for support and to meet like-minded people. Learn from others and accept that mistakes will be made so don’t beat yourself up.