Strong and Steady: Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust launch new programme to address falls risk amongst adults in Coventry
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) is proud to announce the launch of its new Strong and Steady balance class programme, aimed at addressing the critical issue of falls among adults in Coventry.
This initiative reflects the commitment to raising awareness of falls and providing valuable resources and exercises to reduce incidences. Falls among older adults are a significant public health concern, often resulting in injuries that can impact the quality of life and independence of individuals.
In response to this, our Community Therapy Team has researched and designed a comprehensive programme that improves balance and mobility and offers educational sessions on the risk factors associated with falls.
Over the last 15 months, the Community Therapy Team has worked collectively to bring together evidence-based practice, benchmarking national and strategic agendas, to ensure that the very best service is offered to the community.
Key programme highlights include:
Expert-Led Classes: These classes are led by a team of experienced physiotherapists, working in collaboration with occupational therapists, assistant practitioners, and technical instructors. Professionals have a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals who have suffered from, or are at risk of, falls, and develop person centred exercise programmes.
Balance Enhancement: Personalised exercise programmes are developed, with what matters most to those accessing the classes, aimed at meeting individual goals. This programme is centred around enhancing balance and mobility, helping participants regain confidence in their day-to-day activities and accessing their community.
Home Environment: Assessments are centred initially in the home environment, which supports NICE guidance and provides insight into the unique challenges faced at home.
Educational Sessions: The Team provide insight into l risk factors for falls in a variety of accessible formats, empowering participants with knowledge of contributory factors, make safer choices, and enable self-management
The Strong and Steady class is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 who has difficulty with balance that exercise can improve, and lives within the Coventry area. Referral to the Strong and Steady Class is made through a GP or an allocated Healthcare service within the community.
To mark the launch of this exciting initiative, the Trust organised a launch event at Newfield House that was attended by Mel Coombes, Chief Executive of CWPT and Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi, Lord Mayor of Coventry. The event offered insights into the programme's goals and benefits and provided an opportunity for people to meet the Trust’s dedicated team of experts.
Mel Coombes, Chief Executive of CWPT said: “It is so important to us at the Trust to hear from people who use our services. Strong and Steady has been co-produced with service users. This way of working is a key part of our Trust strategy, ‘People at our Heart’, which is about hearing, and using, people’s voices to help us shape our services”.
Clare Mee, Head of Therapy for Rehab Services said: “Strong and Steady is a perfect example of how Allied Professionals add value to people’s lives in Coventry, proactively enabling a preventative agenda with exercise, education and self-management strategies. Putting our people at the heart of everything we do and what matters most”.