Appeal for Foot Care Volunteers

Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest is appealing for local volunteers to help grow and develop its Community Foot Care service to help create more ‘happy feet’ in Bromsgrove.

We often take them for granted, but our feet are so important for our mobility and general wellbeing. By taking routine care of our feet, serious problems can usually be avoided (as well as reducing the risk of trips and falls) however, activities such as simple nail cutting can often become more challenging as we age. It is important, therefore, that older people have access to affordable foot care services locally that meet their individual needs which is why Age UK BRWF offers a Community Foot Care service, run by volunteers, who cut toenails and treat hard skin for people who can no longer do it for themselves.

Helen, one of Age UK BRWF’s Foot Care Volunteers, said;
“It is hard to imagine the discomfort and pain caused by long, thickened toenails and hard skin when, due to inflexibility, poor eyesight, dementia and may other reasons people are unable to attend to their own foot care. Clients are so happy when they walk out of a foot care appointment with their toe nails no longer pressing agonisingly into the ends of their shoes. People leave saying that they feel as if they could go dancing, as if their lives have been transformed simply by having comfortable feet. This is what makes volunteering at the foot care clinic so rewarding, as well as the opportunity to meet so many lovely and interesting people”.

Foot Care Volunteer, Alison, added;
"If you are you looking for glamour, kudos or street cred then a volunteering role in Age UK BRWF’s Foot Clinic is not for you! But if you are interested in making a real difference to people’s lives and comfort, aren’t squeamish about feet, have a few hours a month to spare and are happy to undergo a short training session then our clinic may be just what you are looking for. Clients often hobble into the clinic weighed down by all their woes. But after their toenails have been cut, feet creamed and concerns listened to, they often say they feel like they are walking on air. One client struggled for a month to cut his toenails following the death of his wife. He was starting to experience skin problems where his nails dug in and was even finding it difficult to walk as his feet were so uncomfortable. Since coming to the clinic not only have his feet improved but he has been able to talk about his worries with the clinic volunteers. He gets out and about a lot more and is beginning to come to terms with his bereavement and face his future with more confidence”.

The Foot Care service makes such a difference to those people that attend. Thanks to a generous donation from The Len Giles Trust, Age UK BRWF is seeking to grow and develop its service in order that it can support more local people, and from 8th August 2018, Age UK BRWF will be relocating is Community Foot Care service to Amphlett Hall (Crown Close, Bromsgrove).However, to meet increasing local demand, Age UK BRWF is seeking the support of more people like Helen and Alison who would like to join its team of Foot Care Volunteers. No previous experience is required, as full training will be provided (plus there is the ongoing support of the service co-ordinator), we are just seeking people who can commit a few hours a month and who are interested in making a real difference.

For more information about becoming a Foot Care Volunteer please call Age UK BRWF on 01527 570490 or email enquiries@ageukbrwf.org.uk