Team News | The Movement Center

Shropshire charity bosses say ‘farewell’ to physio after 16 years and ‘hello’ to a new physio for the next chapter.

Staff and trustees at a Shropshire children’s charity, which provides specialist services to youngsters with mobility issues, have said farewell to their physio after 16 years and welcomed in a new face to the team to lead the next chapter.

Sarah Bew, 37, has spent her entire career working at Oswestry-based The Movement Centre and says it has been a real privilege to have played a part in helping the many children and their families who have benefited from Targeted Training courses for more than 16 years – but the time is now right to concentrate on the next phase of her life.

Staff at the centre, which is on the site of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital but an independent charity and not NHS funded, welcomed new physio Lara Whitton to the team for Sarah to introduce Lara to the families.

“It has not been an easy decision, I have really loved my job,” said Sarah. “It has been so rewarding to see the life-changing difference The Movement Centre has made to so many lives – seeing the amazing goals that have been achieved through the therapy we use and how that has developed a level of independence that in many cases could never have been imagined by families.

“I have mixed emotions at leaving but have decided that now is the time to make a big change in my life. I qualified as a physiotherapist in 2009 and The Movement Centre was my first, and up to now, only job. I actually started here as a student for about a year before that, so I have been here a long time.

“My mum, dad and sister live up in Scotland, at the foothills of The Cairngorms, and I will be moving up there to be closer to them. I intend taking a few months out and then there may be a bit of a career change, not necessarily staying with physiotherapy. There are plenty of options for transferable skills from physiotherapy – so I will just see what happens.

“It has been a fantastic experience for me and I would like to thank the staff and the trustees at The Movement Centre for their support over the years. It has been an amazing team to work with, a small-knit team but we have all got on so well. And then there are the children and the families I have worked with. The Targeted Training is a 12-month course so you really build up a close relationship with those families.”

Sarah said the benefits of Targeted Training are undeniable and the difference it makes to improving various areas of mobility according to the individual needs of children can lead to an amazing transformation for them and their families.

“It is an exciting time for The Movement Centre,” said Sarah. We are looking at potentially broadening out and offering additional services while keeping with the Targeted Training that is so successful.

“The specialist standing frames we use can target different areas of the body that help things like head, trunk and lower limb control, communication, feeding, mobility and stepping abilities. It is literally life-changing for so many children and their families and the difference it makes to the quality of life can be immense.

“It is always lovely to get that positive feedback from them after the course of therapy and see the difference it makes to a child’s level of independence, meaning they are not quite so reliant on their parents. It really is so rewarding.”

Lara, who graduated as a physiotherapist in July, said: “Although I’m newly qualified, I completed a paediatric placement during my studies which I absolutely loved. It gave me valuable hands-on experience and really confirmed my passion for working with children and supporting their development.

“I’m delighted to be joining The Movement Centre, and I’m really excited to see what I can bring to the team. I love working with children, and having already seen some of the incredible work the organisation does, it truly feels like an honour to be part of a service that makes such a meaningful difference to so many children and their families each year.

“I am really looking forward to getting to know the families, contributing to ongoing projects, and continuing to develop my skills within such a supportive and inspiring environment. It’s a wonderful opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Kate Halewood, The Movement Centre’s Chair of Trustees, said: “Sarah has been an integral part of The Movement Centre for a long time and has been a trusted and reliable member of the team. We wish her well for the future as she embarks on the next exciting chapter where she will be closer to her family.

“Sarah will be very much missed by her colleagues at The Movement Centre and the children and their families who are still going through their Targeted Training courses during this transition. We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Lara and we are sure that she will be a valued addition to the team.”

Helen Knight, CEO at The Movement Centre, said: “Sarah has been a popular, friendly and familiar figure at The Movement Centre and a trusted, reassuring presence for the many children and their families that she has shared a journey with over the last 16 plus years.

“We have exciting plans moving forwards and welcome Lara who will play a key role in that. But our core philosophy remains unchanged and we obviously stay committed to the Targeted Training that is so vitally important to those children coming to us for our help.

“It is a philosophy that Sarah has been dedicated to during her time with us and while her leaving the centre will be keenly felt, she can rest assured that those core values will continue as we endeavour to carry on treating as many children as we possibly can in the future.”

For more information about the centre visit https://the-movement-centre.co.uk/

UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL: TARGETED TRAINING FOR CHILDREN WITH CP

Imagine a world where every child, regardless of their physical challenges, can stand tall, take a step, and embrace the joy of movement. For children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), this vision is becoming a reality through Targeted Training therapy. This specialised approach to physiotherapy empowers children with CP to overcome physical limitations and reach new milestones in mobility and independence. In this blog, we’ll explore how Targeted Training therapy works, its incredible benefits, and why it’s a game-changer for children. We make sure children are thriving with Cerebral Palsy.

THRIVING WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral Palsy affects thousands of children, approximately 1 in 400 live births in UK every year. Cerebral palsy brings unique challenges to each individual child. Take a moment to imagine the daily struggle of a child with CP—simple actions like sitting up, reaching out for a toy, or taking a step require tremendous effort. Muscle tightness, lack of coordination, and limited range of motion can make even the smallest movements a challenge. These physical difficulties often come with emotional struggles too, as children face barriers in playing with friends or participating in activities they love. The types of CP can include:

Spasticity: Muscle stiffness that restricts movement.
Dyskinesia: Involuntary movements or difficulty controlling muscles.
Ataxia: Problems with balance and coordination.

But there’s a critical window of time during early development when Targeted Training therapy can make a life-changing difference. This is where Targeted Training comes into play, offering a path to greater mobility and independence—a beacon of hope for parents and children alike.

What is Targeted Training and Why Does it Work?

So, what makes Targeted Training so special? Unlike conventional physiotherapy, Targeted Training is a physiotherapy for children with movement difficulties to help children gain control of their movement. Through a course children can gain new skills and independence, which can have a huge impact on their lives.

Through a course of Targeted Training therapy children can gain head control, so they can interact with their family; it can help children develop the skills to sit unaided, so that they can play with their friends. For some children it can enable them to walk, which means they can be far more independent!

“Stabilizing the orientation of the head is a priority task for the nervous system for the movement performance to be accurate”

Targeted Training replicates normal development of the upright posture. It focuses on the fact that control develops down the head.

Read the full blog – Download here

Rimsha Abdullah

Louise Minchin Joins The Movement Centre as Newest Patron

In a heartwarming development, former BBC Breakfast TV presenter Louise Minchin has embraced a new role as the patron of The Movement Centre, a charitable organization dedicated to providing life-changing therapy for children with movement difficulties. The centre, situated in Oswestry, Shropshire, is elated to welcome Minchin on board, recognizing her as a prominent figure in the media industry and a passionate advocate for charitable causes.

The Movement Centre specializes in Targeted Training, an innovative approach aimed at helping children with movement difficulties achieve greater independence and mobility. Louise Minchin’s commitment to making a positive difference aligns seamlessly with the charity’s mission to improve the lives of children facing movement challenges.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the partnership, Minchin stated, “I am honored and excited to become a patron of The Movement Centre. Witnessing the incredible work they do to transform the lives of children facing movement challenges is truly inspiring. I am eager to contribute to their mission and help raise awareness for the invaluable services they provide.”

Minchin’s involvement comes at a pivotal moment for The Movement Centre as it expands its reach and impact. Her support is expected to significantly amplify the charity’s message, encouraging further backing from the public to support the cause.

Kate Halewood, Chair of Trustees at The Movement Centre, expressed her gratitude, stating, “Having Louise Minchin as our patron is a tremendous privilege. Her passion for philanthropy and commitment to making a positive impact align perfectly with our mission. We believe that with her support, we can reach new heights in our efforts to empower children with movement disorders and help them lead fulfilling lives.”

The Movement Centre extends an invitation to the public to join them in welcoming Louise Minchin as their patron. They encourage everyone to support ongoing initiatives and fundraising activities to provide essential therapy for children in need. With Minchin’s support, The Movement Centre aims to create a stronger impact and reach even more children, offering them the opportunity for a brighter and more independent future.

Persimmon Homes gives £5,000 cash boost to The Movement Centre

A children’s physiotherapy centre has secured a donation to fund vital equipment, enabling it to continue its services around Oswestry, thanks to a national housebuilder.

The Movement Centre received the £5,000 funding boost from Persimmon Homes West Midlands as part of its Community Champions initiative. The charity provides life changing children’s physiotherapy, working with those who have movement difficulties to achieve new skills through increased strength and control of their movement. The team also work closely with families and the course of therapy is tailored to each child’s specific needs.

As a charity, The Movement Centre relies on the kind support of its donors, such as Persimmon. The funding from the West Midlands team will enable the centre to purchase additional standing frames, which each child is provided with at the beginning of their therapy. Access to more frames will allow each child who spends time at The Movement Centre to take part in their recommended 30 minutes of therapy per day.

The cheque presentation was attended by David Greengrass, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes and Cllr Mark Jones, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration at Shropshire Council.

Curtis Langley, Fundraising and Marketing Officer at The Movement Centre said: “We are thrilled to have the support from Persimmon Homes in 2024 as we continue our mission to help children with movement difficulties. This donation is amazingly impactful and will make a huge difference. We can’t thank them enough for their support. We aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of children that attend The Movement Centre and with support like this we can.”

David Greengrass, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes West Midlands, said: “What we do is about much more than just building homes, it’s about leaving a lasting positive legacy in the communities that we build in. We’re always delighted to lend a hand to local organisations to boost their ongoing initiatives or contribute to causes that mean a lot to them.

“It’s an honour to be able to offer this support to The Movement Centre, helping them to continue their vital work in and around Oswestry.”

Charity Golf Day a huge success

A local Charity golf day a huge success as they welcome 14 fourballs.

A local charity recently held their annual charity golf day at Oswestry Golf club, raising vital funds towards their work. The golf day was a huge success and raised £2,688.

The Movement Centre do not receive any statutory funding, and all therapy is funded through fundraising efforts from their small team, and kind supporters. The funds raised will help the charity continue to provide free specialist therapy, called Targeted Training, to children who face problems with their movement control. By attending The Movement Centre, children can gain head control, so they can interact with their family; it can help children develop the skills to sit unaided, so that they can play with their friends. For some children it can enable them to walk, which means they can be far more independent.

Curtis Langley, Fundraising Officer at The Movement Centre said “Our events would not happen with the kind support we receive. We had 14 teams of four on the day and received some great feedback. A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors for the day, Pave Aways, Throgmorton, Sol Distribution, Lanyon Bowdler, Henstone and Rybrook”.

Everyone enjoyed the golf, and some great food put on by the golf club. Prizes up for grabs included products gifted by Henstone Distillery, golf accessories sponsored by Pave Aways. There was even a chance for somebody to win a BMW for a weekend on one of the oncourse competitions.

Pave Aways Managing Director Steven Owen added: “We’re delighted to support a charity which provides such life-changing physiotherapy to children in Shropshire.

“The Movement Centre’s annual golf day is always a great day out while raising funds to ensure that even more children can access treatment. We’re proud to play a small part in helping that to happen – no matter what the result on the 18th!”

Curtis continued to say “The day was filled with excitement, as somebody would win a BMW to take away for a weekend, kindly donated by Rybrook Shrewsbury. The winners on the day all took away some amazing prizes, and I can’t thank our sponsors enough, as the day wouldn’t happen without them. We will look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”

With fundraising being so important for the charity, it is days like this that really make a difference. For them to continue to offer their therapy for free they will rely on the kind support they receive in the future.