22 August 2007

Media Invitation / Photo Call

Date and time: Thursday 23rd August, at 11am (see “Note to editors” below)
Venue: Child Development Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds

A successful series of group sessions aimed at increasing the muscle strength of children with movement difficulties comes to an end in Bury St Edmunds on Thursday (23 Aug).

Five girls and two boys aged between four and ten from the West Suffolk and Stowmarket area have taken part in the “Physiotherapy Summer Strengthening Group”.

The sessions have been run by physiotherapy staff at the Child Development Centre in Bury St Edmunds where the group meets for the final time on Thursday.

Andrea Russell, Superintendent Paediatric Physiotherapist at Suffolk Primary Care Trust, said the children taking part have conditions such as cerebral palsy, hypermobility and developmental delay.

“We often do group sessions during the summer holidays and this year we decided to focus on muscle strength,” she said.

“Children with any sort of movement disorder, joint or mobility problems do not enjoy the same levels of physical activity as other children which means they are not so strong.

“The aim of the Physiotherapy Summer Strengthening Group is to improve strength in the key muscle groups, such as the hips and knees, which also leads to increased self-esteem and self-confidence.”

Mrs Russell said the emphasis during the group sessions was on the children having fun and she was confident that they had enjoyed themselves, as well as benefiting from it physically.

All but one of the children who have taken part in the Physiotherapy Summer Strengthening Group attend mainstream schools and the sessions will help them to do everyday activities like running, jumping and kicking a ball which their more able friends take for granted, she added.

The children are also encouraged to follow a structured home exercise programme for 30-40 minutes a day for the days they do not attend the Child Development Centre. This involves, for example, step-ups, dips and skiing-type exercises.

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Note to editors:

Although the Physiotherapy Summer Strengthening Group will meet from 10am to 11:15am on Thursday, media representatives are asked to attend at about 11am in order to minimise disruption. One of the muscle-strengthening exercises the children will take part in involves them standing in a circle and throwing a brightly-coloured, weighted parachute up into the air, which helps to strengthen their arms. Suffolk PCT suggests this would make a good photography / filming opportunity and has the consent of parents for media involvement. If you are interested, please report to the Child Development Centre reception shortly before 11am and ask for Sally Phelps, the centre’s co-ordinator. Parking is available at the centre.

Issued on behalf of Suffolk Primary Care Trust by Mark Prentice at Geronimo Communications on 01284 768935.