MP praises life-changing impact of Mechanical Engineering students' charity projects

Students who worked with a charity to create equipment for disabled people have shared their experiences with Leeds MP Alex Sobel.

The Mechanical Engineering students worked across two different projects for REMAP, the only charity in the UK whose community of volunteers creates innovative, personalised equipment for disabled people, free of charge.

The group project module has showcased how working with industry can inspire students’ career prospects.

Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, said: “It was a pleasure to visit the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds to see first-hand the fantastic work students have produced working alongside the charity REMAP. 

“Meeting students (many of whom had graduated only hours earlier!) and hearing about the personalised equipment they designed for disabled people was inspiring. All of the students showed passion and creativity for their projects. 

“Student-led projects like these not only make a real difference to people’s lives, but also give students the confidence and independence they need as they take their first steps into their careers.”

Cameron Delaney, who has graduated with a Bachelor’s and an integrated Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and met Alex Sobel, added: “One part that stood out to me was Alex’s question about what I have learned from this project that I can take with me into future careers. It made me realise that I can just be me and still be able to make a difference through my work.”

Student-led projects like these not only make a real difference to people’s lives, but also give students the confidence and independence they need as they take their first steps into their careers.

Cameron worked closely with REMAP to develop a modular design system for upper limb prosthetics, specifically those with a transradial amputation (through the forearm). The group focused on this area because these are the most common form of upper body amputation, which is the greatest level of difficulty post-amputation. In some cases, prosthetics can take up to 12-18 months to reach the amputee. 

The group realised that most of the traditional manufacturing methods of prosthetics were inefficient and costly, so the group decided to separate the major parts of the prosthetic into four components. 

The components were built using 3D scanning and printing and comprised the socket, forearm, universal connection and activity of daily living attachment (ADLA). 

Cameron Delaney explains his project to Alex Sobel, MP.

Cameron worked on the socket part of the project, which connects the residual limb of the amputee to the rest of the prosthetic. The socket was completely custom, as it must fit the amputee’s limb perfectly; otherwise, it could be rejected due to low comfort and potential skin irritation or damage. 

“This project’s focus on prosthetics was a unique way to have tangible impact during my studies,” said Cameron.

“Working on this project helped my ability to actively adapt myself to completely new disciplines. I had never done anything medical before, so adapting to this project was vital.

“I aim that in my future I can do something that specifically aids those in need, whether it is as specific as developing prosthetics or as broad as aiding in renewable energy development. I just want to see the impact of my own work, solving problems for others.”

Phil Asante-Siaw, who also graduated with a Bachelor’s and an integrated Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, worked on a separate project. Their client John, who was a guitar player, suffered a stroke which resulted in heavy paresis. This affected the strumming side of his body. Phil’s group was tasked with creating a device to help him play the guitar. 

The device the team prototyped not only helped with strumming, but also supported rehabilitation by attempting to restore John’s ability to strum effectively.

This integrated part of the device tracked John’s progress by playing the same songs at the same tempo with less assistance to prove that rehab was working. The end goal was to play unassisted. 

Phil said: “My group was highly motivated to pick this project as we were all musicians and it was a unique opportunity to work with REMAP. I really enjoyed the opportunity to work on a project with real tangible impact – creating a better quality of life for our client. 

“The project helped to restore John’s ability to play guitar, not only physically but psychologically as well. It was great to give back what was stripped away from John after suffering from a stroke.

“This module was my first opportunity to work in a collaborative environment and receive direct client feedback on our group’s work. It reflected what industry would look like after University. The project has given me clarity on what I want to do in my future, which is going into the robotic engineering industry.”

Further information

• For more information, please contact Rebecca Hurrey at r.hurrey@leeds.ac.uk in the University of Leeds press office. 
• Picture credit: Simon and Simon Photography.