Company News

Here we share what’s going on with us. From charity events, to eco initiatives, to MBEs… you’ll find it all here.

COVID 19 – We Remain Open For Business

As a Company we are, of course, concerned about recent updates regarding COVID 19. A high proportion of our team and our loved ones are in the high risk category and we have a strong duty of care to both our team and our customers – many of whom are also vulnerable. We are responding as best we can to the ever changing advice around COVID 19, trying at all times to balance doing what is needed to keep our business running as well as doing what is right for looking after our team and our customers. We have put…

This week has been marked in our family’s calendar for quite some time. We’ve been counting down the days and dry cleaning our smartest outfits. Finally, on Wednesday, it was time for Rob, his wife Jo and their 7 year old son Jacob, to head to London in preparation for Rob’s MBE investiture. Awarded to Rob as part of the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, Rob received his MBE for services to International trade and to the disabled. Thursday morning was an early start in order to leave plenty of time to ensure we looked our smartest (and to enjoy…

prize winner of a General Purpose gripping aid

Active Hands is proud to support a variety of charities, individuals and events in a number of ways. We understand all too well how a little help, at just the right time, can make the world of difference to someone. So when we were contacted back in May 2017 by Victoria Proctor, we were only too happy to help with her idea. Victoria runs the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Institute. At that time, the institute ran a monthly support group for former SCI patients. Wanting to do something special for this group, Victoria…

We love sharing news with you all and keeping you updated with the latest ‘goings-on’ in the office, but this year, we’ve had to keep a bit of a secret. But finally, we are able to announce a rather exciting piece of news! Christmas has brought an extra special present for Rob Smith, director of The Active Hands Company, as he has been included in the Queen’s New Year 2020 Honours List. Celebrating the achievements and service of people across the country, the Honours lists are the most significant announcements of civilian and military gallantry awards. Recognised for his services to…

As we reach December lights are up, trees are trimmed and halls are decked. The craziness of Black Friday has passed and we begin to settle in for a family, friends and fun-filled Christmas season. As we open our advent calendars to a sweet treat each morning, and drive home surrounded by Christmas lights each evening, the Christmas Spirit is all around! Here at Active Hands we know it’s not all about what’s under the tree, it’s about the people and communities around it! That’s why, this December, we’re leading by example and sponsoring two local events, both for wonderful…

Words "The Power 100 2019" on a purple square

We are proud to be able to share that our director, Rob Smith, was announced as one of the most influential people with a disability in the UK at a reception at the House of Lords on Tuesday 8th October. For the second year running, Rob has been awarded a place on the ShawTrust Power 100 list for his contribution to business as well as his sporting success in wheelchair racing. The Shaw Trust Disability Power List 100 is an annual publication of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK. Nearly 200 nominations were received for the 100…

Here at Active Hands we’re passionate about what we do, and we’re passionate about doing our bit to take care of this planet. With the race to save our planet gaining traction we thought it was time to step it up, share what we’re doing, and ask if there’s any more you think we could do! Packaging If you’ve ever ordered a product from us there’s a few things you might have noticed. For example… your parcel arrives in a polymailer or a box, but did you know we only use degradable polymailers? This means that they can break…

Toby with Active Hands staff doing work experience

Active Hands are keen to encourage the next generation of business leaders so this week we hosted a business student, Toby Parker. He came into the office to find out what life is like at a small, family-run business like Active Hands. Here is how his week went… My name is Toby Parker, and I am studying Business, History, and Sociology at Woodrush Sixth Form. I am extremely interested in business and constantly keep updated with the goings on in the business world, from Elon Musk’s latest project to the new and quickly growing start-ups. So, when my Sixth Form…

Sam using Small Item gripping aid to write. Suitable for reduced hand function: tetra, quad, cerebral palsy, SCI, spinal cord injury, stroke and more.

My name is Sam Loveridge, I’m 17 and I’m attending Heart of Worcestershire college. I love sports, the majority of them anyway, especially football as I play weekly for the Solihull Moors Cerebral Palsy team – it is really good and it keeps me fit and active. I also watch my brother play regularly. At HoW, my course requires you to do 30 hours of work experience to complete the course and without any previous work experience when thinking about having to do it, I was fairly nervous. This is where Active Hands came in. I heard about them through…

Small item aid - quadriplegic painting. Suitable for reduced hand function: tetra, quad, cerebral palsy, SCI, spinal cord injury, stroke and more.

Here at Active Hands we love nothing better than getting feedback from you. Whether you email to share how you have used your gripping aids, or message us with an idea for a new product, we love hearing from you. Having listened to lots of feedback, we began to work on a brand new gripping aid and we are excited to now be able to launch the Small Item gripping aid. This versatile and simple solution to gripping small items is the ideal tool for holding toothbrushes, pens, art equipment, make up brushes and much more. The Small Item gripping…