The city of Sheffield’s world-leading invention and ingenuity are being celebrated in a new campaign by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which aims to showcase the impact of public investment in research and innovation.

The projects have all received investment from UKRI, the UK’s largest public body investing in research and innovation, with a budget of around £9bn a year to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth in the UK.

UKRI Chief Executive Professor Sir Ian Chapman said: “Sheffield is a hotbed of innovation, from its two great universities to its many spin-outs, startups and other businesses. That’s why we’ve chosen to highlight the amazing work shaped by the city and its people.

“From technology to help children with serious diseases live long and healthy lives to improved rights for unpaid carers, these projects show the real power of public investment in research and innovation to improve lives everywhere.”

One of the projects featured in the campaign is the S-Press, invented by Sheffield-based physiotherapist Jennifer Turner who came up with the idea after more than 22 years working in NHS rehabilitation.

The S-Press is a portable leg strengthening device helping patients recover leg strength quicker and earlier, helping to reduce hospital stays.

Jennifer has lived in Sheffield since 2007 and developed the concept through focus groups, design reviews and trials with clinicians and researchers across the region.

Her company JT Rehab was part of the Advanced Wellbeing Accelerator, a research and development focused programme that supports early-stage companies to develop products or services that support people to live healthier lives.

Based at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, researchers and academics supported clinical trials and data analysis for the S-Press.

Their advice shaped the design of key components and helped ensure the device was safe, practical and comfortable for vulnerable patients.

Judy, whose husband used the S-Press to recuperate after a serious leg infection, said: “I noticed an improvement within about seven days. He couldn’t press it at all to start with, but he was determined he wasn’t going to lose his ability to walk.”

Six weeks later, Rob walked out of hospital with some help from a wheeled frame and his beaming wife Judy by his side.

For Judy, the device offered more than exercise. It offered hope.

She added: “He wanted to get back to doing all the things he loved. The S-Press gave him the motivation to keep going.”