Jordanstown family to have app showcased

A father and daughter from Jordanstown are to feature in a new BBC series which showcases inventions created by local entrepreneurs.
Father and daughter entrepreneurial team Les and Becca Hume from Newtowtownabbey who feature in BBC Northern Ireland programme Made In Northern Ireland. INNT 39-831CONFather and daughter entrepreneurial team Les and Becca Hume from Newtowtownabbey who feature in BBC Northern Ireland programme Made In Northern Ireland. INNT 39-831CON
Father and daughter entrepreneurial team Les and Becca Hume from Newtowtownabbey who feature in BBC Northern Ireland programme Made In Northern Ireland. INNT 39-831CON

Les and Becca Hume will feature in BBC Northern Ireland programme ‘Made In Northern Ireland’, a five-part series presented by Stephen Nolan.

The entrepreneurial team created an app to help deaf and hard of hearing people contact emergency services using their mobile phone.

Speaking to the Times, Becca said: “It is very exciting to have the app showcased in Made in Northern Ireland and to receive this amount of coverage.

“I have been learning sign language for six years and have a passion for it and helping deaf people. Through my dad’s business background he has been my mentor, helping me with his business knowledge.”

She added: “If an emergency arises, deaf people have the option of texting, but this is time consuming and there is the possibility that the person they message may not see the text at that time.

“The app can be used by anyone. It is accessible by all, not just those who are deaf or are experiencing hearing loss. We want to develop an inclusive range of products.

“We have received excellent feedback from charities and community groups, who feel that the app is much needed.”

The app has been in development for two years, with the development process expected to last for another year.

The first episode of the new series appeared on screens on Monday, September 26, with the episode featuring Becca and her dad scheduled to be shown at 7:30pm on Monday, October 3.