Meet #OurEntrepreneurs. Introducing Sinead Welsh, a Social Worker, International Child Protection Specialist and part of our Northern Ireland Cohort for 2022
Tell us a bit about yourself
Hi I’m Sinead, a mother of 3 young children from a small rural town called Fintona in Co. Tyrone Northern Ireland. I’m a Social Worker, qualified from the Queen’s University of Belfast, and an International Child Protection Specialist having spent over 10 years working for the Australian Government. I’ve held a series of senior management positions to include Case Conference Chair Lady; Court Officer; Family Law Court Liaison Advisor and also held the Child and Adult Mental Health Portfolios. I worked alongside Victoria Police around the establishment of the Child Sexual Assault and Family Violence Investigation Teams in Melbourne. I am a Mental Health Advocate.
In my spare time I love to play the irish wooden whistle as well!
Name: Sinead Welsh, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Cohort 6
Occupation: Social Worker, International Child Protection Specialist, Northern Ireland
Why did you apply to the programme and what are you looking forward to?
I saw the programme advertised on LinkedIn and felt that I had the qualifications, international experience and drive to excel my Informed Minds App with the expertise and networks on the CEP.
I’m looking forward to developing understanding around the funding mechanisms available to grow and scale our business. I’m also looking forward to networking and learning from other Clinical Entrepreneurs and experts who have built and commercialised Apps. I think this programme will give me an excellent opportunity to building expert connections across the medi-tech and related sectors nationally. Leading the way in the tech for social good sector.
Tell us about your innovation
Someone I love aged 24 made an attempt to end his own life in 2019. We thought we were a close and intuitive family- but we never seen it coming, That was the pivotal moment following much hurt, fear and anger that led to the creation of the Informed Minds App.
I co-authored our Pre-publication – The Theory of Change, which highlights how early intervention has the power to save lives and support our front line staff. My goal was to bring my international experience in Safeguarding & Mental Health Advocacy home to Northern Ireland and interject in the increased stress, self-harm and suicide rates.
After conducting initial inhouse research we realised that this technologically advanced generation use their phones for most aspects of their lives and App’s are their preferred platform of choice owing to their accessibility- so that’s where we began our journey of development and research in to user needs and Tech for Social Good with our Informed Minds App.
What motivates you?
My Social Work Values and Emotional Intelligence drive me. We all deserve to have support when we need it regardless of status, geographical location or culture. Knowing that I’m doing good for individuals, communities and populations excites me and we are creating a legacy of improved mental health for the next generation as well.
What are your ambitions for the next year?
We plan to launch & secure sales across the corporate, educational and Health sectors in NI, ROI, England, Scotland and Wales.
We also seek to complete national research into the App in order to validate our product and generate further and sustainable customers.
Why do you think innovation is important in healthcare?
The health system is changing & there are rich opportunities for digital innovation especially. As a result of the covid-19 pandemic there has been a clear digital acceleration, which we need to keep up with. Technology can bridge the gap between long wait lists, isolation and geographical locations. Alongside this, we need to keep an eye on the future and keep our digital products fresh and leading in their industry. Collaboration brings powerful intelligence together which can lead to phenomenal change and innovation.
How can we find out more?
To find out more please contact me on LinkedIn – thank you
Sinead is part of our Northern Ireland Cohort for 2022. The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is proud to be working in partnership with HIRANI and Invest NI to extend the programme to healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland. To find out more, please get in touch.
TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE THROUGH INNOVATION
