We recently attended AireFest 2026 as its official charity partner, hearing firsthand all the work being done to improve people’s health outcomes using technology.
Hosted by our digital partners, Aire Logic, at Headrow House in Leeds, we heard from a range of healthcare professionals and organisations showcasing how they use technology and data to innovate their approach to patient’s health.
The Ministry of Health Tech podcast was also talking to many of the organisations there, including our Director of Children and Young People Services, Helen McGlinchey, who spoke about the work we do across Yorkshire and the digital solutions we are creating including Northpoint Navigator.
Our new pathway system, developed with Aire Logic, is a digitally enabled access model for mental health and neurodevelopmental pathways. It brings together a single front door, structured referrals and clinician-led triage, screening and early support, helping people access the right help sooner.
Juggling the pathways of a mental health journey
Duncan Pearse, our CEO, Amanda Coates, Director of Digital and Innovation, and Hazel Burleigh, Director of Adult Services, hosted a session looking at the complexity of the mental health journey and how digital solutions and strong partnerships can help improve access, creating a more joint-up experience.
Participants had the opportunity to collaborate with one another during the session and worked in teams to juggle balls that represented the different stakeholders in someone’s journey using mental health services.
The other sessions during the day explored how to utilise data to improve workforce health and inform preventative care, using AI in healthcare settings and how to embrace the innovations it brings and our very own AireFest Dragons Den.
Making a difference with “Little Voices”
The winners of AireFest Dragon Den who delivered the best pitch to a panel of experts won £5000 to donate to the charity of their choice – EdShift who we partnered with to raise money for our “Little Voices”.
Delivered by us with EdShift, Little Voices is a proven, play-based dramatherapy programme designed to support children who have experienced domestic abuse.
Through storytelling, puppetry, play and imagination, children are given a safe space to explore their experiences, process emotions, and build resilience.
You can find out more and still donate to “Little Voices” here.
