Ponseti Coffee Morning Connects Parents of Children Treated at St George's Hospital
19 April 2023
The coffee morning brought together parents of current patients who are using foot abduction braces, as well as parents of former patients who have completed treatment using the Ponseti Method.
It was an opportunity for parents to connect with one another, share success stories and challenges, and offer support and reassurance in a relaxed environment. The feedback from the parents who attended was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar challenges. 
Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, Aisling Russell expressed her satisfaction with the turnout, which saw between 15-20 patients and 30-40 family members attend, and included two representatives from STEPS, a charity that supports parents and families whose children have clubfoot.
She noted: “Many of the parents who attended have children who are currently in foot abduction braces, and they found it beneficial to see older children who are of walking age being very active and playing in the room.
"As staff, we loved seeing our families in a more relaxed environment, communicating with each other.
"We hope to repeat this event and already have another family who have offered to fundraise for the next coffee morning as they found it very useful and reassuring."
In addition to providing a space for parents to connect, the coffee morning also raised awareness about the STEPS charity and the support they offer to families.
The Ponseti Clinic is a specialised clinic at St George's Hospital that provides treatment for children with clubfoot. It is named after Dr Ignacio Ponseti, an orthopaedic surgeon who developed the Ponseti Method for treating clubfoot, which involves using a series of casts and braces to gently correct the position of the foot.
The Head of Grants at St George's Hospital Charity, Vivien Gunn, said: "We are delighted to hear that the Ponseti Coffee morning was a success. It is important for families to have the opportunity to connect and support each other during what can be a challenging time.
“We are proud to have funded this event and look forward to continuing to support the Ponseti Clinic and other projects that make a difference to patients and families at St George's Hospital."
