PRESS RELEASE: Australian-first unemployed access pro-bono healthcare
DRAFT MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGO: 1 OCTOBER 2013
AUSTRALIAN-FIRST UNEMPLOY ED ACCESS PRO-BONO HEALTHCARE
The SOS Health Foundation today announced the official opening of Australia’s first ever pro-bono Physiotherapy Health Clinic in Melbourne, in conjunction with The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614, providing health support to the disadvantaged who struggle to have access to such care.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Report, Australia’s Health 2012 studies have shown that there is a direct association between socio-economic disadvantage and health.
‘Many aspects of health are related to how well-off people are financially: generally, with increasing social disadvantage comes less healthy lifestyles and poorer health’ the report states.
Founder of the SOS (Success or Significance) Health Foundation, Jason Smith, who also established the Back In Motion Health Group, Australia’s largest and fastest growing Physiotherapy group, said his organisation felt strongly about providing access to quality healthcare for disadvantaged Australians.
“Our partnership with The Salvation Army through the clinic aims to translate the success of Back In Motion Health Group into long term significance in the lives of those who are poor, disadvantaged, or may be going through crisis,” Mr Smith said, marking the launch of the Melbourne City clinic.
“The clients who use the service have similar needs to those in our other clinics – back pain, shoulder pain, issues relating to daily life. Managing these issues and supporting people to take care of their health between visits can have a big impact on general well-being and self-esteem,” he said.
Major Brendan Nottle, Manager at The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614, said the Physiotherapy Clinic added a significant benefit to the services provided at the centre.
“In addition to the clinic, we have mental health nurses on-site who can help with psychological well-being, a lawyer, and other services that specifically support learning and education for all, as well as specific youth services – this offers a fairly well-rounded support network to people who may be unsure where or how else to get help.” he said.
Back In Motion Health Group Physiotherapist Thomas West, who volunteers at the clinic at Project 614, spends about 45 minutes with each client, and offers general advice about health and diet as well as specific physiotherapy techniques to address pain or injury.
“Physical wellness is directly linked to the ability to cope and handle life’s challenges effectively on a day to day basis.
“If we can help reduce their physical as well as build the physical strength of the clients at Project 614 which in turn can help them learn to cope better to withstand life's challenges, then it has all been worth it” he said.
SOS Health Foundation contributes 1370 hours per year toward pro-bono Physiotherapy and related health services assisting disadvantaged Australians nationwide.
About the SOS Health Foundation
The SOS Health Foundation was founded in 2009 to translate the success of Back In Motion Health Group into long term significance in the lives of those who are poor and disadvantaged.. The functioning of SOS Health Foundation was and remains focused around the premise that this could be achieved by taking the growing ‘success’ of our commercial lives – increased financial resources, learning experiences, time freedoms, skills diversity and human resources – and finding creative and meaningful ways of improving the health of those less fortunate. ‘Significance’ could be achieved in the way relationships are built, encouragement, food, the shelter, money, training and health services, and kindness.
SOS Health Foundation is a public benevolent institution who engages physiotherapists, related health professionals and like minded people within the health services arena who want to make a difference in the well being of others.
About The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614
The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614 is a team of people, based in the City of Melbourne, who work passionately with those who live on the fringes of society. We work with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, those suffering from serious mental health issues, people affected by a range of addiction issues and people who are suffering from social poverty. We have hundreds of interactions each day with people aged from 9 to 93. The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614 provides support by supplying meals, clothing and counselling but also work with clients to help create pathways out of their current state of marginalisation. These pathways include training, volunteering, employment and accommodation options.
For further information or to arrange an interview with Jason Smith, Brendan Nottle or a case study please contact Peta Shulman at Brand New Solutions on 02 8356 9595 / 0401169307 or peta@brandnewsolutions.com.au