SERC is proud to highlight the achievements of its computing students who have successfully partnered with the South Eastern Health and Social Services Trust on a real-world digital project designed to support carers across the region.
As part of a practical industry-focused initiative, students were challenged to design and develop a centralised online hub to bring together essential information for carers. Currently, key resources such as contact details and support services are dispersed across multiple organisations, making access to information more complex. The students’ solution aims to address this by creating a single, user-friendly website that consolidates these services into one accessible location.
Ryan Major, Deputy Head of School of Computing at SERC said, “Throughout the project, students undertook key stages of the software development lifecycle gaining valuable hands-on experience. Their work included engaging directly with clients, gathering requirements, producing concept designs, refining those designs based on feedback, developing the website itself, and carrying out system testing. This ensured that the final product was both functional and tailored to the needs of its intended users."
Marie Jameson, Student Carer Coordinator at SERC, who managed the project, said, “The project was shaped through ongoing consultation with stakeholders. Students worked closely with representatives from the Trust and engaged with carers to better understand user needs and expectations. Regular client meetings enabled the team to showcase progress, test functionality using sample data, and refine the system based on real-world feedback. This iterative approach ensured the platform remained user-centred throughout its development.”
While final hosting arrangements are still under consideration by the Trust, the intention is for the platform to be made accessible online, enabling carers to benefit from a more streamlined way to access vital information and support services.
The culmination of the students’ work was marked by a launch event hosted at the Avondale Centre in Newtownards, where the completed website was demonstrated to carers and project stakeholders, providing an opportunity to showcase its functionality and highlight the potential impact of the solution.
Ryan concluded, “This initiative forms part of the Foundation Degree in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics (Validated by The Open University) programme at SERC, where students are required to complete a 12-week work placement in their second year. Projects such as this not only fulfil academic requirements but also provide invaluable opportunities for students to apply classroom theory in a professional context. By working on a live client brief, students develop practical skills, enhance their employability, and gain a competitive edge as they prepare to enter the workforce.”
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