After hearing about the initiative from an airline pilot friend Eric Hughes, founder of EMH Technology, offered important support to help launch Project Wingman. This included creating a website, designing a bespoke system to manage volunteers and supplying cloud-based file storage. These services were provided without charge. The EMH Technology team also provides a free IT helpdesk on an ongoing basis. “I have a pilot’s licence and a keen interest in aircraft, plus several of my relatives and friends work for the NHS. The project is a natural fit for me and I wanted to help,” says Eric.
“We feel proud and privileged to be involved with Project Wingman and to indirectly support NHS workers at the frontline of this pandemic. We’re used to providing IT support to businesses with several locations, so looking after the Project Wingman network is very similar. Everyone in our team is happy to contribute to the success of this initiative.”
The project has spread across the UK, involving more than 50 “Wingman Lounges” where NHS workers can rest and be a little pampered after their shift. It now features in hospitals in the US too with over 5,000 volunteers involved.
“We intend to support the Project Wingman team for the duration of the initiative,” adds Eric. “Our team is available to help for as long as we’re needed. We’re very happy to be a founding sponsor of such a valuable project supporting our dedicated and courageous NHS staff.”
This support has been offered whilst transferring the EMH Technology team and clients’ employees to homeworking. “It’s been a busy time with lots of changes,” says Eric. “Fortunately, technology offers good opportunities for flexibility and remote support.”