Heard of Fixperts? Come and look at what they do - and tell us what you think

[HelenMumsnet]

Hello. We've recently come across a pretty inspiring bunch of folks at an outfit called Fixperts.

They are design geeks who want to share the creative and social values of design as widely as possible - by sharing their ideas with folks who could do with a clever design solution to something that's making their life difficult.

And they make a little Fixperts film each time to show how it all works out.

So, in this film, for example, you can see how Fixperts helped a London cycle paramedic find a way to stow his intubation tube safely on his bike, and here you can see how Fixperts came up with an an ingenious way to help an elderly lady called Edna who was having difficulty putting on her socks.

So, what we want to know is, what do you think?

Do you like what Fixperts do? And if so, can you think of any design challenges in your life/another Mumsnetter's life that you'd like Fixperts to try to fix?

Please do share.

[gazzalw]

They look brilliant. And Edna's sock solution is pure but simple genius!

My issue is trying to carry a cup of coffee on the go whilst holding DD's hand and bags of shopping - it just doesn't work well and usually end up ditching the coffee because it's slopping about and it's the least necessary thing I'm carrying/holding, even though I often really need that injection of caffeine !

[Nagoo]

I love it :)

But why do they do it? I'm a mackle-y type myself, I love to sort out a way to make things work, so I like to see what they've done. But what's it for? I am missing the pointbig syle here aren't I?

[Nagoo]

Oh yes, I never get to have a coffee :(

[WhoNikcedTheEasterEggs]

My car has cup holders and my coffee has a standard travel mug but they do not live in harmoney as they are destined not to fit together. Solution that doesn't involve buying a new car?

And yes I'm on travel mug number 4!

[WhoNikcedTheEasterEggs]

Forgot the first bit Watched the paramedic film, was interesting and obviously important. Then watched Edna's film, loved it! I remember the product, client and fixers. 1st one, just that it was a paramedic with a bike.

While you are fixing things, I work with wheelchair users, as far as I can tell there is nothing for them in the way of travel accessories.

If you had a child in a pushchair there would be drinks holders, place for wipes, tissues, snacks, shopping underneath.

As an adult in a wheelchair you either have a carer or nothing. Cant push yourself and hold a drink!

[LaVitaBellissima]

I have to say they are fab! Love Edna

The paramedic in the video came when I dialled 999 for an elderly lady who'd fallen, hurt her head and lost consciousness for a minute. He was literally there within 2 minutes of me calling, so I would just like to say what a fab job the cycling paramedics do, I didn't know they existed until that day

I think it's been invented already but I can't seem to find them, an adaptor to add to the car seat straps to stop my toddlers wriggling out of the straps.

Also a way of finding the TV remote, said toddlers seem to hide it in the most ingenious places freezer anyone?

[BackforGood]

The first thing I need to fix, is how to make the video play ????

[BoffinMum]

Funky disability aids. They are all beige and grey and aimed at old people. But most of the users are not old. I'd like telescopic crutches to match my handbag, for example. Plus you can't hold an umbrella and use crutches, so design assistance is needed there too.

[BoffinMum]

I'd love a telescopic shooting stick that fits in a briefcase to help me survive queues with a dicky hip, as well.

[TheNurseryCryme]

Sounds fantastic, but I can't get the videos to play on my (android) phone.

[InMySpareTime]

LaVita, thread the car seat straps through the neck of the DCs top and out at the tummy, fasten as usual, no chance of escape! (Only works for 5-point harnesses that have the shoulder and lap belts separate)
If shoulder and lap belts are joined, once the DC is strapped in but before tightening the belt, put a cardigan backwards on the DC and round the shoulder straps, and button the top button behind their neck/shoulders.

[InMySpareTime]

Can I be a fixpert? I'd be amazing

[SoupDreggon]

don't quite understand the sock thing - my mum was given a sock-putting-on-aid after her hip replacement a few years ago.

Having seen the paramedic "fix" I"d be bloody good as a Fixpert too! It's the sort of thing I do naturally anyway.

[SoupDreggon]

But if they can invent a stasis cupboard where I can stash my three children for 30 minutes of bicker-free peace, that would be fab.

[Tee2072]

Interesting idea.

[KatyMac]

Are they 2 different groups Fixperts & Fixpests?

Or am I missing something

This work is also done my a group called 'Remap' I think

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd like something that holds a grater still for me - grating with one hand is a pita.

A steering wheel knob that can easily be transferred from one car to another so I don't have to book hire cars weeks in advance/take cars for test drives etc. My current ones need tools, and crucially someone with two working hands to fit.

A thing to pull the zips on my dresses up which fits onto fine zips, and is not just a stick with a cup hook on

And something that allows me to cycle without just using my good hand (cos if your 6 year old wants to go on cycle tracks, your good arm will soon get very overworked). Currently, I have something lashed up from an old forearm splint, velcro, bar ends and gloves, but it looks appalling.

Wherin lies the issue - I may have acquired a disability, but I have not lost any sense of style with that, and I still want to go places on my own and try and do everything physically possible.

[SoupDreggon]

How about a bent paper clip tied to some string?
[helpful]

[SoupDreggon]

For the zips - can't see it working for anything else.

Those are exactly the sort of things I bet they're looking for - there's no money in people making them in bulk as they are more "bespoke" so no one bothers.

[KatyMac]

Thread a ribbon/long piece of thread onto the zip while the clothes are off; double it over & knot a button onto it

Put the outfit on and you should be able to catch the button (esp if it's fairly big) pull it over your shoulder & pull the zip up.

Unknot and pull ribbon out of the look

Long-winded but it worked when I had a frozen shoulder; however it wouldn't now as my fine motor skills are crap

[CMOTDibbler]

Paper clips bend and slip out alas.

I haven't tried the ribbon technique, but it does sound promising. I shall give it a try KatyMac

[Nagoo]

A steering wheel knob should be easy shouldn't it? A screw on clip thing? Obviously I must be underestimating the inconvenience of only having one hand to use. But If you could get one with a what's the word? wratchet thing? Like I have a screwdriver that only gives force in one direction so you can turn it back on itself without letting it go? I don't mean easy for me to make, but easy for a proper designer/ engineer

[Isabeller]

Any thoughts on the safest way to get someone in a wheelchair up down 4 steps between lift and front door of flats until wheelchair lift built. Only one carer, wheelchair user a light adult.

[CMOTDibbler]

Nagoo - you'd think it would be easy, but my current ones take dh 15 minutes of swearing to put on. Part of the trouble is that you are fixing something to a round surface, so they rotate round, slide up and down from the desired position etc.

[RollingThunder]

I have ds5 with asd and nt ds3. Currently when I walk to school ds3 goes in the buggy and ds5 on the buggy board! (He's not really safe around busy roads without a high level of supervision).

The problem is that ds3, is really fed up with being in the buggy and wants to go on the buggy board too! So I need a contraption that I can push two standing up kids on, without the buggy bit!

Any suggestions?