10135280Bringing an engaging speech and language therapy platform to the NHSClosedGrant for R&DInnovate UKStroke strikes every 5 minutes and 100,000 people in the UK have strokes each year. There are currently 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK and 64% of them experience difficulties in communication, such as slurred speech and/or difficulty finding words to express themselves. Research studies have shown that high-intensity speech and language therapy is key for effective communication rehabilitation for stroke survivors. However, resources'/professionals' shortage limits the NHS to offer such services. Currently, most patients receive less than 6 x 1-hour therapy sessions after hospital discharge, a stark contrast to Stroke Guideline's recommendation of 1-hour a day for as long as it is necessary. Consequently, over 45% of stroke survivors feel abandoned, and millions of them are left with debilitating communication difficulties, resulting in reduced confidence and independence, and difficulties engaging in society. Computer-based speech and language therapy has been proposed to increase access and therapy time for patients without increasing speech and language therapist (SLT) time. However, several challenges limit its adoption in the current care pathway, e.g., patient engagement and compliance in practising by themselves, concerns of injury due to incorrect therapy performance without SLT supervision, and usability of the technology for target end-users. Beautiful Voice is developing an online speech and language therapy platform that aims to make high-quality therapy more accessible for patients while overcoming the challenges faced by computer-based therapy. This is achieved by providing real-time feedback and clear video demonstration to guide users through exercises and by using engaging therapy materials that are more linked with users' personal interests to enhance their therapy involvement. With a previous proof-of-concept study showing positive results on patients' speech and language improvement and increased therapy engagement using the Beautiful Voice prototype, this project will allow us to complete the final phase of the product, making it stickier and more usable for a wide range of end-users who may experience, in addition to their communication issues, vision impairment, movement difficulties and cognitive decline. This will be a big step towards translating a research solution into a user-friendly product that will benefit millions of patients and healthcare professionals. Beautiful Voice will work with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS trust to develop and test the innovation and strategise its market access plan with the support from the network and business support package associated with this award.