Robotic feeding device will help disabled people in the cotswolds

National Star based between Gloucester and Cheltenham has been awarded funds to purchase a state of the art feeding device.

The Obi robotic feeding device is a specialist piece of equipment that allows people living with physical challenges to feed themselves independently. The innovatively designed feeder can easily be operated and will help those with reduced upper limb function to practice how to feed themselves through the simple touch of an accessible switch. This allows the user to select between four compartments of food and to command when the food is captured and delivered to their mouth.

A grant of £5,500 has been donated by the Morrisons Foundation, the charitable arm of the supermarket.

Gill Henry, Trust Fundraiser at the National Star Foundation said: “A huge thank you to the Morrisons Foundation for funding an Obi robotic feeding device for National Star. This specialist piece of equipment will help young people with little or no movement in their arms to feed themselves rather than having to rely on others to feed them, giving them a real sense of independence and freedom. We can’t thank Morrisons Foundation enough for this fantastic support, especially during these difficult times when our fundraising has been decimated by Covid-19”.

Morrisons Foundation Advisor Adrian Horsley said: “National Star quite rightly pride themselves on delivering the highest quality of care for the young people they work with. This is clear from the TES Specialist Provider of the Year Award they were awarded in March of last year. We are delighted to be supporting such a highly thought of local charity with funds to purchase what is a truly exceptional piece of equipment.”

The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people’s lives. Since launching over £32 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.