Catrin's Penguins
Our aquatic therapy service incorporates a combination of aquatic rehabilitation and Halliwick therapy, which is delivered based on the needs of the individual. Therapy sessions are completed in large groups and involve different games and activities designed to teach children and adults how to control their body positions and breathing in the water.
Training is offered to volunteers and new parents to enable them to feel confident in the water and maximise the effect of the therapy for their child. Service users who learn how to swim are then supported to join a local disability sport group and provided with further specialist swimming training.
Catrin's Clinic
This service provides professional evaluation and provision, where possible, of specialist equipment for people with disabilities. The clinic is run by two local physiotherapists and a wheelchair technician and on average 3 people are seen a week. The service focuses on seating for children and adults with specialised postural needs; however, it also caters for children, adults and their families who need advice, education, support and specialist equipment such as crutches, walking frames and occupational therapy equipment.
In addition, families are able to attend up to 4 sessions with the physiotherapist and receive a personalised home exercise program and advice for working with their child. All the equipment we use has been donated from the UK and is checked, repaired if needed and then donated. Once the family has finished with the equipment it can be returned, cleaned and checked and then is ready to re-donate again.
Posture Care Pilot Project 2024
Posture care is a 24 hour approach which incorporates equipment, positioning techniques, therapy and education to help protect and restore body shape in people with movement difficulties. Individuals who have difficulties in controlling their body position will often be limited with how they can sit and lie. This increases the risk of developing body shape distortions. There are many complications associated with failing to protect body shape which can have serious consequences for a person’s health. The most significant of these is premature death. Although Posture Care should begin from birth, it is never too late to start protecting body shape, deterioration is not inevitable.
Our goal with the Posture Care Pilot Project is to complete a specialist assessment and provide equipment for 5 children to meet their 24 hour posture care needs. This will include providing a specialist wheelchair, standing frame and positioning system. Alongside the equipment the children, their families/caregivers will receive basic training focusing on the importance of posture care as well as specific training focusing on the equipment being provided and its use. Families will also receive written instructions and information booklets to support the training.
This project is key for developing our Posture Care service. The aim is to demonstrate with clear evidence the impact that the right posture care input can have on an individual’s life. We will be using this evidence to encourage companies, organisations and individuals in Mexico and the UK to start sponsoring children/adults for their posture care needs. We will be following the stories of the 5 children and their families closely to see what differences this equipment makes to their lives.
For more information about our Pilot Project, specific costs and how to sponsor a child for some or all of their equipment please click the link below.
Click here for more information
