Steady On Your Feet launches in Swindon

We are excited to announce the launch of Steady On Your Feet in Swindon, another significant step forward in our commitment to revolutionising falls prevention for NHS trusts and local authorities across the UK. This innovative online tool, developed in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, Great Western Hospital, and the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, is designed to empower residents with the knowledge and tools to help prevent falls and embrace healthy ageing.

The platform offers a comprehensive range of resources tailored to the needs of Swindon's elderly population. From detailed exercise videos and local activity listings to falls prevention advice and home safety checklists, the launch of the platform ensures that every resident has access to critical fall prevention strategies.

A key feature of the platform is its interactive self-assessment tool, which helps users identify personal risks and create a customised falls prevention action plan. This user-friendly tool is part of our mission to integrate digital technology with falls pathways and public health campaigns, making preventative care more accessible and effective.

This launch represents a year-long collaborative effort to bring this essential service to fruition. Public Health Specialist Susan Lambert from Swindon Borough Council emphasises the importance of maintaining mobility for independence in later life, and the Steady On Your Feet platform directly supports this goal by enabling older adults to take proactive steps towards their own health and safety.

In 2020-21, between 300 and 350 falls a month resulted in visits to the Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital and 195 people were admitted having broken their hip after falling.

Rebecca Arthur, Integrated Falls Pathway Lead at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“Falling is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. There is lots of evidence that shows that exercise that improves strength and balance keeps us more stable, independent for longer and reduces the risk of falling.

“There are also lots of changes that can be made to your environment, lifestyle, diet, footwear and many other factors that will help you stay steady on your feet and this new online tool can help you think about where to start and what changes, if any, you may want to make to achieve this.”

Swindon Borough Council’s Public Health Specialist, Susan Lambert, said: “With more and more people living longer it is really important that people maintain their own mobility to give them the best chance of staying independent in later life.

“This new tool is a really positive way for people to become steadier on their feet so they reduce the risk of having a fall. I would encourage people to look at the ‘Steady On Your Feet’ website so they pick up those easy tips to stay active and safe while they enjoy their later years.”

Charlotte Richards, Programme Development Manager at NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “We are committed in Swindon to improving the wellbeing of our communities. I am really pleased that we are launching this new risk checker, which will help our residents to stay stronger for longer.

“This is a fantastic tool which supports our ambitions to reduce health inequalities, and for people to enjoy healthy, safe and independent lives, with timely and practical advice and support, most suited to their needs. Please encourage anyone that you think might benefit from this to access Steady on Your Feet.’’

We are proud to support Swindon's commitment to improving community well-being and reducing health inequalities through this innovative digital solution. By streamlining fall prevention efforts and reducing related healthcare costs, Steady On Your Feet represents an effective and efficient innovation for NHS trusts and local authorities.

Learn more and explore the platform here: Steady On Your Feet - Swindon

Together, we are on a mission to revolutionise Falls Prevention to create safer, healthier communities where everyone can stay active, independent, and steady on their feet.

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