Laura Wood

Founder and director, Invisible Creations

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Laura’s company, Invisible Creations, challenges traditional, stigmatising approaches to housing aids and adaptations, and instead improves people’s lives through beautiful design.

 

Laura began her housing career in 2013. She worked at Beyond Housing and North Star Housing Group, and these roles gave her a strong grounding in the realities of housing need and residents’ experiences. Laura was inspired by her grandma, Sheila, who needed help to get around her house and live independently, but didn’t want ugly, clinical handrails that made her home look like a hospital. In response, Laura developed an award-winning range of grab rails that are built into shelves, plant holders and mirrors, which are now stocked by B&Q – and then she gave up her housing association job to establish Invisible Creations.

 

Laura’s energy and entrepreneurship have already won her the Innovator of the Year UK Housing Award in 2021 and the Northern Power Women Agent of Change Award (2022). Her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit are still going strong; Laura has just launched a new set of outdoor independence aids created with the Royal College of Art.