What’s been happening behind the scenes at Koalaa in recent months?
Well, we’re busy developing some awesome new sleeves and tool attachments, inspired by feedback and ideas from our users, and we can’t wait to share them with you soon.
Our Global Access team also continues to work closely with some amazing expert partners to help support amputees and individuals with limb differences in areas across the world where access to prosthetics is severely limited.
Through our partnership with charity Douglas Bader Foundation and Alex Lewis, we’ve also provided even more fully funded prosthetics to children and young people in the UK, through the Project Limitless initiative. An incredible 500 children having now benefited through the project!
Oh, and the Koalaa Community has grown! We now have even more users in even more countries, plus we continue to build relationships with some fantastic clinicians and clinics across the globe.
But that’s not all….
We’ve also welcomed some new faces to the Koalaa team. You can find out more about them here.
Grace - Overseas Project Coordinator
As part of our growing Global Access team, Grace spends her time communicating with key partners about our overseas projects, as well as reaching out to new potential partners. This involves researching countries and areas where we could have the most impact.
Alongside her work, Grace is studying for her Masters’ degree and has a love of the gym. She also enjoys walking her dogs and spending time with friends.
Grace said: “I love, love, love, love, love, working at Koalaa! I feel like everything I’m doing is working towards making a difference. For me, fact finding missions as a form of needs assessment is so important, as it ensures a user focus rather than a top-down approach. I also love the sustainability element of what we’re doing - building projects to last and to be managed by people on the ground within each country.
“Koalaa isn’t scared to do things differently either and to have fun whilst doing it. I feel empowered to be brave and try different things in different ways. The people at Koalaa are also the nicest people you could ever wish to meet, let alone work with. I count my lucky stars every day!”
Shannon – Content Co-ordinator
Social media whizz Shannon lives in Leeds and as a micro-influencer herself is now working her magic for Koalaa’s online communities.
When she’s not busy brainstorming content ideas or creating cool new graphics and videos, she’ll be checking in on socials and replying to messages and comments or speaking to potential partners.
Outside of work, Shannon loves anything and everything artsy, with a particular passion for painting and drawing! She’s also a big fan of games nights with friends (just watch out for her competitive side coming out!).
Shannon said: “I have a limb difference myself and I love creating content around my limb difference and raising awareness in a personal capacity. When the opportunity arose to come work with Koalaa it honestly seemed like the perfect job for me! Everything Koalaa is aiming for and all their values align so closely with my own, it was a no brainer for me to join the team. Also, to be able to work within the sector of prosthetics and limb difference is so close to my heart - it doesn't feel like work!
“It's a completely different working environment to anything I've ever known. Every single person is so supportive and completely understanding of difference which I've never experienced before! Even though my role is based at home it still feels like I’m part of a close team.”
Abbie – Limb Builder
Originally from Essex but currently living in Watford, Abbie joined Koalaa as a Workshop Technician - also affectionately known as a Limb Builder. Working alongside our other Limb Builders and Product Engineers, Abbie spends her days putting our awesome tools and prosthetic sleeves together.
When she’s not busy beavering away at Koalaa you're likely to find her at the theatre, a concert, or wandering round the woods searching for different types of mushrooms (as she’s an enthusiastic amateur mycologist!).
Abbie said: “I come from a medical manufacturing background and my greatest interest lies there, so when I saw the job listed as ‘Limb Builder’ and that I would be making prosthetics in an innovative new company, I was very excited. I knew when I got chatting to the team and learned about the exciting, person-centered approach Koalaa takes, that I wanted to be a part of it.
“Working at Koalaa is a dream. I know I'm a part of something that's making such a difference to people’s lives and the assistive tools that I am helping to create are changing the prosthetics game for the better. The future is inclusive!
“The team are wicked too. It's such a friendly atmosphere and really exciting when ideas and prototypes are buzzing around the room!”
Emiliano – Sales Manager
Emi lives in sunny Buenos Aires, part of beautiful Argentina!
A typical day for Emi involves researching potential new partners who may be interested in finding out more about Koalaa and our innovative soft prosthetics. He also works closely with all our existing partners to make sure they have everything they need and to support them to become an ambassador for Koalaa!
When he’s not working hard making these valuable connections, you’re most likely to find Emi enjoying the great outdoors with his dog Pecas or playing sports. Football and golf being firm favourites.
Emi said: “I decided to join Koalaa because I love working with start-ups and having an impact for a company from the start. It’s so rewarding working here and it makes me feel happy that we are a successful business but also helping the community.”
Esme – Partnership Coordinator
While Esme has been part of the team at Koalaa for a while now, she recently left the workshop for a new role within the marketing team – and a new home in Leeds!
As Partnership Coordinator, Esme is responsible for developing key partnerships and collaborations. She also organises Koalaa’s busy events schedule and puts her creative talents to good use, helping design bespoke sleeve covers.
A huge nature fan, outside of work she loves nothing more than exploring and finding a new beach to walk along, or adventuring out in the countryside.
Esme said: “What I love most about working at Koalaa is that every design and product is user led. There’s nothing like collaborating with people to design a pattern that they want to wear. I love chatting to someone and coming up with an initial idea, then going away and creating a pattern, then seeing them wearing it as a sleeve!
“Koalaa really is an amazing place to work! There is creative freedom within the team and every idea is welcome. There is a strong team spirit and anyone is part of that, it's a real community.”
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