Xinying He

At the beginning of this project one of our teammates sprained her foot and got the free crutch from the NHS, then we didn't know how to dispose the used crutches, so we started focusing on this topic.We gained the information that If two fifths of walking aids were returned, the average hospital could save up to £46,000 per year. At  the same time, if the return rate increased over the next three years, hospitals could reduce NHS carbon emissions by 7,400 tonnes, equivalent to 281,397 car journeys from London to Bristol.

Actually, Many patients also don't want to throw away their crutches because the condition is so great which means it can be reused by others,but more importantly, by our research, we knew people truely face difficulties during the return process.

In order to understand the current recycling and reuse process we did some desk research about the return situation and reuse policy, the condition of hospitals which already did this job, and charities who attract donations for their daily work etc.

To achieve a more clear cognition to find out the pain points, we start to send surveys and interview our target users(who borrow the free crutches from the NHS, especially Temporary use crutches ( this type of users have sufficient upper body strength and coordination to support and move their own body weight. usually 14-60 years old)and hospital staff.

We also went to some hospitals which can receive the used crutches and reuse them to figure out what things we can do and learn about their touchpoints.

（1）Patients face difficulties in obtaining information and guidance regarding the return of their crutches once they no longer need them.

（2）Some people lack the incentives to return because they don't want to spend the money and time after they used the crutches.

（3）Hospitals don’t have effective signs/systems to remind people to return to their crutches.

ReCrutch is a crutch reusing campaign, which aims to encourage more people to return their crutches easily and happily. 

Our guidance and reward service system about returning crutches, helps people who borrow the crutches from the NHS have better experience in returning, by establishing some more visible and attractive return points in the hospital, giving guidance with the crutches and giving them return rewards.

（1）Some visible and attractive return areas inside the hospital, where not only patients but everyone passing by can notice and realise that the crutches can be reused.

（2）A guidance for returning on double layers stickers on the crutches to remind.

If you have an unused crutch, what would encourage you to go to the hospital to return it (even if it costs you money and time)?