Hertfordshire residents given free slippers to help prevent trips and falls

Last year we held eight events and gave out 395 pairs of slippers to some very happy new owners. And this year Hertfordshire County Council are on a mission to do away with even more old, broken and often dangerous slippers with five more events planned across the winter period. 

According to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people, and significantly impact on long term outcomes, for example often meaning people moving from their own home to long-term nursing or residential care.

At each event, occupational therapists are on hand to offer advice on fall prevention, and other health and wellbeing charities and organisations are also in attendance to offer help and advice to residents.

Bishop’s Stortford resident Hilary attended the slipper swap and said: “I had a couple of pairs of old slippers that really were getting quite dangerous, and it seemed a good idea to attend the slipper swap and after all, it was free, so I have some new slippers which fit wonderfully and they’re non-slip which is great”

Cllr Caroline Clapper, Executive Member for Libraries, Localism and Education at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We want our residents to know that we’re with you this winter. Our Slipper Swap events - being held in our warm, welcoming libraries across Hertfordshire across the county - are just one of the ways we are making sure that advice and support is available to help every resident deal with the rising cost of living, with practical help for people who need it most, so that they can stay well as temperatures drop.” 

Slipper swap events taking place in libraries across Hertfordshire from now until mid-December include: 

• Abbots Langley Library - Wednesday 18 October
• Stevenage Library - Monday 30 October
• Hatfield Library - Wednesday 15 November
• Hoddesdon Library - Wednesday 29 November
• Hemel Hempstead Library - Thursday 7 December

All events are free and run from 10am – 1pm, residents are invited to show up with no booking necessary. 

If you want to find out more about events like these and hear about other ways we’re here for Hertfordshire residents this winter please sign up to our Update Me.