Leg and foot care session at Southend soup kitchen puts a spring in people’s step

People at a Southend soup kitchen enjoyed a free leg and foot care session, offered by NHS specialists as part of Legs Matter Week.

Wound care specialists from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), supported by colleagues from Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (MSE ICB) visited St Vincent’s Centre in Southend-on-Sea after work.

St Vincent’s Centre is a busy community hub helping vulnerable people with foodbank services, hot meals and outreach support. Many of the centre’s visitors are homeless.

The team offered leg and foot health checks and washed and moisturised people’s feet. They also offered visitors clean socks which had kindly been donated. They saw 15 people in total, who were grateful for the care and walked away with a newfound spring in their step.

Legs Matter Week (12 to 16 June 2023) aims to raise awareness of the importance of leg and foot health. It advocates for better access to evidence-based treatment so people living with leg and feet conditions can heal sooner.

The importance of having healthy legs and feet “can’t be overstated,” said Katie Fox, Community Wound Care Team Lead. “Infections and sores can be painful and limit people’s mobility, which can really get you down.

“We’re delighted we were able to offer this service to people visiting St Vincent’s Centre. It’s amazing how a simple wash and moisturise and a fresh pair of socks can make a big difference. It won’t solve all the difficulties people are facing, but it’s a big step in the right direction.

“It was great to work alongside Advanced Nurse Practitioner Edel Spruce and GP Dr. Haroon Siddique, and we look forward to offering further support to St Vincent’s Centre and its visitors in future.”

As well as visiting St Vincent’s Centre, EPUT’s wound care specialists are also encouraging people to learn more about leg and foot health by browsing resources available on the Legs Matter website: https://legsmatter.org/information-and-support/