Following on from his recent appointment onto the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Committee (DIAC), we are thrilled to announce that our colleague, Ashley Bale, has been awarded the highly coveted Walter Dickey Leadership Bursary for this year.
Bringing International Expertise Back to Wales
Ashley plans to use the award to undertake a study visit to The Netherlands. His work focuses on increasing the independence and well-being of people with disabilities within their own homes, and he has been actively involved in smart housing development in partnership with local authorities and housing associations.
During his visit, Ashley will explore good practice in smart housing and smart cities, specifically looking at the models housing associations use and the cutting-edge technology they are leveraging.
“I’m interested in seeing the model of housing in the Netherlands and understanding what technology is being utilised there to make housing smarter and more adaptable for people with disabilities,” Ashley explained. “I’m hoping to learn a lot from that and then bring that back to Wales.”
– Ashley
A Commitment to Independent Living
Innovate Trust prides itself on supporting initiatives that empower the people we support, and Ashley’s project perfectly aligns with our mission. His commitment to bringing international insights back to Wales promises to significantly enhance our smart housing strategy, fostering greater independence and improved quality of life.
Congratulations, Ashley! We wish you a fantastic and valuable learning experience and look forward to the insights you will bring back to the Innovate Trust team and the people we support across Wales.
