IJF using social media to keep helping beneficiaries

The Injured Jockeys Fund is finding innovative ways to make sure that as many of its beneficiaries as possible are fully connected with services during this national shutdown.

The charity’s three centres are all closed to the public but as Oaksey House Centre Manager, Clare Hazell explains: “We have been able to set up some really successful video consultations for our clinicians to provide an excellent one-to-one Physiotherapy and Strength & Conditioning service. This includes supervision of exercises and providing bespoke rehabilitation plans.

“It’s been really well received and great that we can still provide this type of service to deliver something meaningful to our clients who, like the rest of us, will have the added issue of isolation to consider.”

One of the IJF’s beneficiaries, Wayne Burton, has been an enthusiastic participant in this new, adapted service. The former jump jockey suffered a life-changing fall in 2008 that left him paralysed from the chest down.

Wayne has been working with the team at Oaksey House and sessions have included exercises to develop cardiovascular fitness and improvements in muscle strength. All these exercises are personalised and can be completed in the comfort of someone’s own home, making it specific to the needs of the individual but also fun at the same time.

Longer term beneficiaries are being contacted regularly by phone by the IJF’s network of regional Almoners, so they can assist as necessary with their basic needs.

Lisa Hancock, Injured Jockeys Fund Chief Executive added: “The Injured Jockeys Fund is doing everything it can to continue to provide support for Jockeys and Beneficiaries. We also realise that more people will need our support in the coming weeks and months, and therefore we are re-allocating specific funds so that we are in a position to provide immediate help to those in urgent need.”

All of the IJF’s three centres in Malton, Newmarket and Lambourn are still taking calls to support their beneficiaries.  In addition the teams are generating content daily on the @ijfperformance social media platforms, including Instagram and youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_yjV3QMLEp3yqyyaDly_Q/videos