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Slipper swap shop aims to prevent tumbles

George King/BBC Seven women standing behind a table on which there are multiple boxes of slippers for elderly people.George King/BBC
Community nurses helped at the Slipper Swap event at Burlington Baptist Church, in Ipswich

Slipper lovers have traded in their tatty old footwear for brand new pairs designed to help prevent them taking a tumble.

The Slipper Swap was held at Burlington Baptist Church, Ipswich, for people aged 65 and over whose worn-out indoor shoes may otherwise have proved unsafe.

During the three-hour drop-in session guests were treated to tea and toast as nurses helped them find the perfect pair.

The initiative aims to minimise the risk of people falling over, sparing them potential agony while alleviating the pressure on health services.

George King/BBC A man with dark hair and wearing glasses and a grey jacket smiling into the camera. George King/BBC
Project lead Ashish Sam Abraham said he hoped the drop-in sessions would help make a difference

Ashish Sam Abraham, integrated neighbourhood team project lead at Suffolk County Council, said: "It is about how we can help them before they have a fall or, if they've had a fall, let's prevent them having a second one because it is painful.

"I am not saying these slippers will completely eliminate that, but hopefully we are making a difference."

George King/BBC A pair of light blue coloured slippers on the feet of an elderly woman wearing green jogging bottoms.George King/BBC
Some guests were surprised by the condition and quality of the footwear
George King/BBC An elderly man wearing glasses and a black hoodie holding a pair of slippers while looking into the camera. George King/BBC
Alan Norman left the church delighted with his new slippers

Alan Norman, 73, from Ipswich, said: "My current slippers have seen better days because I do what you shouldn't do and wear them in the garden.

"So, I thought I would come and get myself a nice new pair of slippers. They are very good quality and they fit a treat."

George King/BBC An elderly woman wearing a scarf, pink top and glasses on her head, smiling into the camera George King/BBC
Claire Smith, 67, said her new shoes would help her be steadier on her feet

Claire Smith, 67, from Ipswich, was "really, really pleased" with her "very comfortable" new slippers.

"They're what you need when you get to a certain age with all your aches and pains and have arthritis," she added.

"I am not as steady on my feet as I would like to be so having these slippers being a nice glove on my foot will help me not be so clumsy. I am beyond pleased."

George King/BBC A woman with long brown hair tied back smiling into the cameraGeorge King/BBC
The NHS's Hollie Rackham said 200 new pairs of slippers had been purchased for a series of events

Hollie Rackham is the integrated neighbourhood team manager at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

She said: "Usually people fall because of ill-fitting footwear so if we can prevent a fall then it is a success.

"It's really lovely [seeing people leaving with a new pair of slippers] – it is an incredible feeling and we are really lucky.

"We've also looked at our housebound population, so everybody will have a nice new pair of slippers in time for Christmas."

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