Apply NOW for the Cosyfeet Podiatry Award 2012

The £1000 award is open to any podiatrist or podiatry student who is planning voluntary work, a work placement or research, whether in the UK or abroad. It is designed to assist with travel and living expenses.

The winner will be expected to submit a report and photographs of their experience, and to be included in Cosyfeet publicity relating to the award.

Closing Date 15th April

Click here to apply.

Cosyfeet Podiatry Award for Glasgow Student

Joanne Sweeney, who will graduate in Podiatry from Glasgow Caledonian University this summer, has been awarded the Cosyfeet Podiatry Award 2011. The £1000 grant will help fund her travel and living expenses during her 3-month voluntary project at the Coast Provincial General Hospital in Kenya.
 
Much of the work that Joanne will do in Kenya will assist with her Masters degree in Global Health, focusing on writing future policy on the treatment of non-communicable diseases.
 
One of the main aims of the project is to identify sustainable sources of alternative materials for offloading pressure from wounds on vulnerable feet. The application of offloading techniques on foot wounds is a recognised method of promoting healing, and as a direct result, reduces the incidence of limb amputation.
 
In addition, Joanne plans to lead the development of a resource area for staff and patients for the purposes of health promotion and education. She will also assess the screening protocol for patients with vulnerable lower limb and foot conditions, which are often secondary to systemic diseases such as Diabetes, Post Polio and Cerebral Palsy.
 
Joanne will travel to Kenya early in the New Year. During the project much of her time will be spent in clinic, and in running tutorials for nursing staff with little or no prior foot care training. These nurses have daily contact with patients who have vulnerable feet.

“This project is going to force me to be resourceful and to work under duress without typical equipment and supplies,” says Joanne. “I’m really looking forward to implementing my four years of undergraduate training, and to creating more positive outcomes for lower limb patients in the Coastal Province of Kenya.”
 
Joanne plans to write a blog of her experiences in Kenya, which can be accessed at: http://kenyafootproject-josweeney.blogspot.com