Hertfordshire residents given record number of free slippers to help prevent trips and falls

This slipper swap was the last event of the year, and over the last few months Hertfordshire County Council have organised and run a total of six slipper swaps and given out 536 pairs of slippers to some very happy new owners. We’ve succeeded in doing away with even more old, broken and often dangerous slippers after handing out 141 more slippers when compared with last year.

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 were on hand to offer advice on fall prevention, and other health and wellbeing charities and organisations were also in attendance to offer help and advice to residents.

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 - held in our warm, welcoming libraries across Hertfordshire - 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.” 

If you want to find out more about events like these and hear about other ways we’re with Hertfordshire residents this winter, please visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/withyou