Jelly Drops is a British confectionery company based in London, England.[1] It produces sugar-free sweets that are made of 95% water and contain electrolytes, natural flavourings and non-artificial colours. It was founded on 28 August 2018, by Lewis Hornby who was inspired by his grandmother Pat, who had dementia and was hospitalized for dehydration.[2]

Jelly Drops
Company typePrivate limited
IndustryFood processing
Founded2018; 6 years ago (2018)
FoundersLewis Hornby
HeadquartersLondon, England
ProductsConfectionery
Websitejellydrops.com

The company uses a patented method to manufacture sugar-free gummy candy which is 95% water.[3] The confectionary is designed to increase hydration in people who are susceptible to becoming dehydrated, originally being conceived for the elderly, including those with dementia.[4]

Jelly Drops are vegan, recyclable and available to buy online in the UK and the US.[5]

History edit

Jelly Drops were invented in 2018 by Lewis Hornby, a 24-year-old Royal College of Art student, when his grandmother almost died of dehydration. He spent a month in her nursing home and realised that while many people with dementia refused to drink, did not feel thirst or failed to recognise cups, they would still eat confectionery. He therefore invented a fruity candy made up of 95 per cent water and electrolytes.[6][7][8]

When a video of Hornby and his grandmother was shared on Facebook it received over 48 million views, with one viewer setting up a JustGiving page, which raised more than £9,000, in order to help bring the product to market.[9]

In 2019, Jelly Drops received a further £100,000 grant, along with access to a network of industry experts, from the Alzheimer's Society as part of their Accelerator Programme, designed to support products intending to improve care and lifestyle quality of those living with dementia.[10][11][12] In return for the charity's investment, Jelly Drops will donate 1% of its profits to help fund further Alzheimer's research.[13]

Jelly Drops launched to the public in the United Kingdom in 2020, and in the United States in 2022.[14] The confectionary is also reportedly used in healthcare settings including in NHS wards.[15][16][17]

Awards and accolades edit

References edit

  1. ^ "A jelly a day keeps dehydration away". European Investment Bank. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  2. ^ "JELLY DROPS LTD overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  3. ^ [www.ipo.gov.uk/p-ipsum/Case/PublicationNumber/GB2591727 GB patent GB2591727], Lewis Michael Hornby, "Composition and methods for preparing a confectionery product", published 2021-08-11, issued 2023-06-14, assigned to Jelly Drops Ltd 
  4. ^ "Jelly treats for people with dementia". BBC News. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  5. ^ "My mum has Alzheimer's, these Jelly Drops sweets help boost her water intake". The Independent. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  6. ^ Packer, Amy. "Student invents 'water you can eat' after gran almost died of dehydration". mirror. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Man creates jelly 'sweets' to help his granny with dementia stay hydrated". Metro. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  8. ^ "'My grandma ate seven in first ten minutes'". Sky News. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  9. ^ Rigg, Danny. "Man makes 'life-saving' sweet after nan rushed to hospital". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  10. ^ "How smart tech is helping people with dementia". ft.com. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Partnering with Jelly Drops to stop dehydration in dementia". Alzheimer's Society. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  12. ^ Gallagher, Paul. "Smartphone app can help dementia patients boil a kettle". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Grandson creates 'water sweets' to prevent dehydration in the elderly after caring for grandmother with dementia". uk.style.yahoo.com. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  14. ^ Miller, Hawken. "For Alzheimer's, Dementia Patients, a Water-filled Jelly Drop for..." Alzheimer's News Today. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Health chiefs unveil their latest secret weapon in the war on dementia - jelly drops". Wigan Today. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Sweet solution to keep patients healthy | University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust". University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  17. ^ Faulkner, Tina. "Jelly Drops trial served up for patients". Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  18. ^ Bayley, Sian. "Health tech start-ups at the forefront of Pitch@Palace competition". Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  19. ^ ""It pays off to be honest with people" Interview with Nick Hooton, CEO of Jelly Drops - Innovation Forum". Innovation Forum. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  20. ^ Webdesign, TenTwenty |; Dubai, Webshops & E-marketing |. "Dubai Design Week | Global Grad Show's Progress Prize Winner Announced". Dubai Design Week. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Man Invented Edible Water Jellies That Resemble Candy to Help Hydrate Dementia Patients". Distractify. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Jelly Drops". Royal College of Art. Retrieved 1 August 2023.

External links edit