News article
Designing solutions for genuine real-world problems
Christopher El-Nahhas
Christopher El-Nahhas sewing one of his Ostopacks
Sussex Product Design student Christopher experienced first-hand the challenges of organising equipment for stoma care when he became a full-time carer for his mother, who required a stoma following cancer treatment. Witnessing stoma nurses carry supplies in large single-compartment paper bags despite treating multiple patients each day inspired Christopher to create Ostopack - a bag designed to streamline their working practices.
Christopher says: “Ostopack was initially an academic project, but as it came to a close, I felt as though I couldn’t ignore the fact that I had the opportunity and knowledge to solve a genuine problem.
“Ostopack is more than just a bag - it is an innovation designed to ease the daily challenges faced by stoma nurses and their patients. With its effective organisation and easy transportation, Ostopack streamlines the workflow of changing a patient’s stoma bag, saving time, reducing stress, and allowing nurses to focus on delivering the quality care they aspire to provide.”
With guidance from the Entrepreneurship team at Sussex, Christopher transformed Ostopack into a business venture, receiving crucial support in the form of the Elevate Grant (Ben Miller Award), which is generously supported by family and friends in memory of a former Sussex Product Design student.
Elevate Grants are just one of a range of measures through which Sussex supports student and graduate entrepreneurs. The grants provide early-stage funding and recognition for innovative projects that have the potential to make real-world impact. In Christopher’s case, his award enabled him to invest in research, refine his design, and engage with healthcare professionals.
The Elevate Grant (Ben Miller Award) gave Christopher valuable recognition and financial support, whilst also making a poignant connection between his lived experience and Ben’s legacy - Ben also required a stoma following a cancer operation.
Ben’s parents, along with their wider family and friends, support the Elevate Grant (Ben Miller Award). They explained the rationale behind their gift:
“When Ben graduated from his Product Design course in 2006, he found the first year difficult, not knowing where to start and what direction to move in, and how to make decisions. He felt there was a big gap after a supportive experience whilst at Sussex. Things have changed a lot since then! We were all very pleased to meet Christopher and were impressed by him and his commitment - it made the award so much more real and worthwhile.”
For Christopher, receiving the award was meaningful. He says:
“Ostopack is a very personal project, and receiving the Elevate Grant (Ben Miller Award) has opened up a world of opportunity that has brought valuable recognition and access to development.”
Christopher’s path has demanded adaptability and courage. With no prior experience in textiles or sewing, he taught himself to use 3D fashion design software, understand sewing patterns, and construct prototypes. This hands-on learning not only expanded his design skills but also built his confidence to take risks and embrace new challenges. Through entrepreneurship training, he gained knowledge of business fundamentals - intellectual property, customer segments, and value propositions - ensuring that Ostopack grows with strategic clarity.
Equally important has been his personal growth; Christopher has learned to present himself professionally and confidently, expanding his network and building relationships that will sustain his venture.
Today, Christopher is working toward a production-ready prototype, with the vision of seeing Ostopack adopted in hospitals nationwide.
At Sussex, entrepreneurship is seen as more than simply starting a business - it’s about embedding innovation, sustainability, and human flourishing into the very fabric of our collective future. The Elevate Grants ensure that students have the resources to move from prototype to production, empowering them to turn their ideas into solutions that address real-world challenges.
To support more students like Christopher, please consider making a gift to the Sussex Fund.