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During 2005, Astra Tech agreed to sponsor Back-Up’s Wheelchair Skills Training Programme. Our sponsorship has enabled Back-Up to offer peer-to-peer training at spinal centres across the UK.
Multi-activity wheelchair skills training courses were originally devised by Tomasz Tasiemski, a senior lecturer and researcher from Poland who is also a tetraplegic.
Dot Tussler, Superintendent Physiotherapist at Stoke Mandeville and Back-Up trustee, writes; "We can only find praise for how these sessions supplement the existing wheelchair skills training that we provide. The sessions from Back-Up have received positive feedback as the teaching appears more real when delivered by peers. It has also given opportunity for other life skill knowledge to be imparted".
Jan Monaghan, who has travelled over 2,000 miles visiting spinal centres and delivering wheelchair skills sessions says it can be as rewarding for her as it is for the participants. "I have seen so many people’s lives change, even by learning the smallest skill. Apart from teaching the sessions, it is important to interact as part of the group. This means I have learnt new things each time I attend a course and I have fun along the way. I only wish this type of training had been available during my rehab".
Positive feedback
Feedback from participants in both the unit sessions and on the multi-activity courses has been extremely positive.
Neville from Oswestry: “It’s hard to pick out the best thing about the session. It was good to be with a group of people eager to pass on their skills. I found it very useful and was thankful I was given the opportunity to be part of it.”
Mike: “The best thing about the session was learning new skills and gaining confidence.”
Lee from Stoke Mandeville: “the best thing about the session was learning from wheelchair users instead of able-bodied teachers.”
If you would like to find out more, please contact Sean on 0208 875 1805 or email sean@backuptrust.org.uk
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