Tallie Bush
Empowering lighting solutions for the elderly.
Project
Circadacare
URL
Location
North East England
Theme
Design for Age friendly homes
Empowering lighting solutions for the elderly
Tallie Bush is CEO of Newcastle-based Circadacare, whose innovative Heleos system combines circadian lighting with AI-driven monitoring to transform elderly care. With a background spanning mechanical engineering and neuroscience, her transition from researcher to care technology innovator was driven by a desire to create practical solutions for real-world challenges.
The UK faces a growing care crisis: rising dementia cases, increasing pressure on unpaid carers, and the high personal and financial costs of falls. For local authorities already spending £17 billion annually on elderly care, promoting independent living could generate significant savings.
Circadacare’s plug-and-play device fits into standard light fittings, providing rhythmic lighting that improves sleep/wake cycles while maintaining privacy and dignity, helping extend independent living and reduce strain on care services.
Tallie’s achievements include recognition as a Longitude Prize on Dementia Discovery Awardee and securing two Innovate UK Partnership Awards. The company has also won both stages of the Challenge North Tyne Award.
“Humbled, excited and driven to get going,” says Tallie of winning the Women in Innovation Award. “Through this programme I want to forward the good work of all our great team members so we can continue our mission to improve quality-of-life for people living independently or in care, and their carers.”
“Recently I experienced my first all-female business meeting and it opened my eyes,” Tallie reflects. “After years in male-dominated domains, I’ve learned to trust that those around me don’t necessarily know more than I do. I now embrace bringing my perspective to conversations, recognising how diverse viewpoints can positively impact innovation.”
Her advice to aspiring innovators? “Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. Nobody can do it by themselves. Often the best way to learn is to jump right in.”
For more information on Women in Innovation
Find out more about the Women in Innovation Award and other support available across the Innovate UK ecosystem on the Women in Innovation programme page.