Engineering empathy: How Leeds has partnered with REMAP to transform disabled people’s lives

The University of Leeds has begun an exciting collaboration with REMAP, a UK charity that improves the quality of life for people who experience disability through infirmity, illness, or ageing.

REMAP makes and adapts equipment to meet the unique needs of individuals at no cost to them. Dedicated volunteer engineers create solutions when no suitable alternative exists, helping with everything from day-to-day tasks, such as mobility and personal care, to enabling people to pursue their hobbies and ambitions.

This partnership with the University – specifically, with the School of Mechanical Engineering – will provide Mechanical and Medical Engineering students, as well as Product Design students, with opportunities to apply their learning to real engineering challenges that make a genuine difference in people’s lives.

A partnership shaped by a Leeds alum

The collaboration’s origins are tied to Leeds graduate Fareda AlWakeel, who began volunteering with REMAP after graduating. She has since completed eight projects with the charity and quickly recognised the potential for students to get involved.

She said: “As a REMAP volunteer, you get to work directly with clients and make a difference to people’s lives. It made sense to me that students could lend their skills to the charity, while gaining experience of working with clients directly and having a real impact.”

Fareda AlWakeel standing in a workshop surrounded by tools

Fareda AlWakeel has been working with REMAP since she graduated from Leeds. (Photo credit: Mark Bickerdike)

Her first project involved creating an adapted make-up brush handle for a client with rheumatoid arthritis who could no longer grip a standard brush. The design required multiple attempts and careful testing.

Fareda explained: “I set about designing a new brush. It took a few iterations. At first, the material in my prototype was too rough, the grip was uncomfortable, the angle was a bit wrong. I learnt to take that feedback on board and made alterations until I got it right.”

She developed the final version using Leeds Hackspace, supported by the University’s 3D-printing facilities. She emphasised how collaboration across generations strengthened the process, adding: “Many of the REMAP volunteers are retired engineers or carpenters, and they bring a different set of skills and experiences to my own. I brought expertise from Leeds and skills in 3D printing. That means we complement each other really well.”

After completing this first-ever project, Fareda was inspired to continue her important work by the response she got. “I remember the client telling me what I’d made was brilliant,” she said. “That feedback stays with you, and it motivates you.”

Academic leadership driving the collaboration

The partnership between REMAP and Leeds officially launched through Dr Anthony Herbert, the undergraduate Programme Lead for Medical Engineering in the School of Mechanical Engineering, who was awarded a prestigious Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship. He sees enormous value in allowing students to work directly with disabled people to create bespoke equipment.

He highlighted how students not only gain engineering experience but also empathy, creativity, and confidence — critical qualities for the challenges that increasingly impact societies both at home and worldwide.

“This collaboration gives our engineering students the chance to apply their skills to real-world problems with real human impact,” he explained. “It’s about using engineering to make a meaningful difference and preparing graduates to become the next generation of socially responsible engineers.”

Dr Herbert also hopes this model will inspire other universities: students benefit from authentic client-led projects while disabled individuals receive solutions tailored to their lives. The positive impact, he believes, can grow nationally.

How our technicians bring ideas to life

Within the School of Mechanical Engineering, technicians play an essential role in turning early concepts into functional items. Two of them — Rhys Moore and James Watkins — recently completed a bespoke walking stick for a REMAP client with arthritis affecting her grip.

The project began when Gerry Van Hee, Chair of REMAP Leeds and York, brought them a simple dough mould of the client’s grip. They scanned it using 3D technology and began refining around half a dozen prototypes, continually improving comfort and usability.

“We adapted the design to create more wrist support to reduce fatigue,” said James. “We also left a thumb recess to prevent pressure points and to provide more grip.”

James Watkins and Rhys Moore, standing side by side in a workshop, holding items they have created for REMAP.

James Watkins and Rhys Moore, technicians within the School of Mechanical Engineering, actively explore new approaches with different materials.

The project has pushed both technicians to expand their skills and explore new materials. They tested rigid plastic before moving to thermoplastic polyurethane for greater flexibility, while the base was printed from PETG carbon fibre for strength and durability. A Polyjet-printed logo represented the collaboration between REMAP and the University.

“I had never touched a scanner before,” said James. “I was given an opportunity to gain new skills and experience.”

Rhys said that being able to contribute University resources in support of REMAP was incredibly satisfying for the pair: “At the University, we’re well-equipped with the technology, resources, and capabilities to help. So, it’s been brilliant to do so.”

James agreed, adding: “My favourite part of the project is that it has given us an opportunity to give back. It has been massively rewarding and visible, when our usual work happens behind the scenes.”

Rhys and James hope for more face-to-face engagement with clients and for students to take on increasingly active roles through their Level 3 and Level 4 projects. These experiences, they say, should sharpen students’ design skills and only strengthen the partnership.

Socially responsible engineering

The collaboration between the University, REMAP, students, technicians, and volunteers represents a shared commitment to using creative engineering to support disabled people in meaningful ways, developing a critically skilled workforce, shaping future careers, and fundamentally giving individuals access to equipment tailored to their needs.

Dr Herbert added: “By creating custom assistive equipment, students will develop the creativity, technical expertise, and empathy needed to design solutions that transform the lives of disabled people.”

“I can’t wait to see what the Leeds students achieve through their projects,” Fareda said. “They will gain real satisfaction from seeing their engineering skills help solve real problems for people.

“Thanks to REMAP, I have the opportunity to develop those solutions and change lives.”