Slipper campaign in Somerset gives renewed confidence to pensioner

A woman in her 80s, who suffered a head injury after a fall, says a campaign to promote better footwear has transformed her life.

Sylvia Selway lost her footing at a bus shelter and became unconscious after hitting her head.

She was given the slippers as part of NHS Somerset's Sloppy Slippers campaign to help her regain confidence.

"I feel a renewed sense of safety in my daily life. It's a small change that's made a big difference," she explained.

The fall at the bus stop followed an earlier tumble over a tree stump near a local church where she lives in North Petherton.

Ms Selway said she noticed an immediate change in how confident she felt when out and about, leading her to limit outdoor activities and only venture out when accompanied.

"I became more aware and nervous of walking. I tried harder to be careful, but it felt so easy to trip," she explained.

According to the University Hospitals of Leicester, 24,000 over-65s in the UK fall over at home every year because of poorly fitting footwear.

Most of these falls are caused by wearing "sloppy' slippers" - poorly structured and ill-fitting slippers.

Ms Selway was contacted by the Sloppy Slippers campaign, run by NHS Somerset in partnership with the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership.

It aims to highlight the dangers of wearing badly-fitting footwear provide older people in Somerset with a stable, safe alternative, ultimately to prevent falls in the home.

"I'm wearing these slippers and they're very comfortable," said Ms Selway.

"They're very sturdy, and I feel very confident wearing them."

The 'Sloppy Slippers' Roadshow is touring Somerset throughout March with trained staff on hand to fit visitors with non-slip slippers and demonstrate simple strengthening exercises.

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