Focusing on falls in Barnsley – supporting Falls Awareness Day 2026 | South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Today (25 September), our teams came together with local partner organisations in Barnsley to host an informative event marking national Falls Awareness Day 2026.

A range of supportive services joined forces at Barnsley Market Hall to raise awareness of falls and provide support to visitors.

Falls affect 1 in 2 people over the age of 80 and are the highest reason for hospital admission in those aged 65 years and over.

At the event, Assistive Living Technologies provided information about falls sensors and alarms, while Trust podiatry services supported with information on looking after feet and footwear.

The Warmer Homes Team and Wates were on hand to advise on getting houses ready for winter, and the Trust’s equipment and adaptations and sensory impairment services gave top tips on aids to improve home safety.

The Trust’s neighbourhood rehabilitation service gave out new stick ferrules (rubber ends for walking sticks), alongside support and advice from our continence team and neighbourhood nursing team.

How’s Thi Ticker supported people with health enquiries and blood pressure assessments, and people heard from dietetics about the importance of hydration.

Helping people to keep moving were our musculoskeletal physiotherapy team, who shared information about pain and keeping active. BOPPAA also attended with information about their exercise groups, along with a frailty suit which simulated what it feels like to live with age-related health problems.

Social prescribing and health and wellbeing coaches offered support around navigating health systems and where to access group support to maintain being active and well.

Physiotherapist advanced clinical practitioner Hannah Robertson said: “The event was well attended and services were able to signpost people between the stalls – really showcasing the connectivity and link-working that occurs between the services.”