Leg club to start in the spring

A LEG club will be starting in Melksham in April to provide medical help and social meetings for people with lower leg problems.

The weekly sessions will be held on Thursday mornings at Spencer Sport and Social Club on Beanacre Road. Members will be able to receive treatment from NHS nurses and then spend social time with other members and friends.

Project manager Amanda Brookes hopes to recreate the success of the club she runs in Bradford on Avon.

“Our club in Bradford has over 600 members and people really appreciate it,” Amanda said. “Members like it because they can drop in at any time, the nurses like it because they can spend as long as they need to with people, and the NHS likes it because it has significantly reduced healing times for leg ulcers and it relieves pressure on local GPs.”

Leg ulcers are the most common condition seen at the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation’s clubs, but they are open to anyone with a lower limb condition. Members are encouraged to continue visiting and socialising even after their conditions have improved.

The club will be having a coffee morning in February to find out more.

Amanda added, “The groups are friendly and not just a case of seeing a nurse and leaving. The club will be a place where local people can meet regularly on Thursday mornings and spend some time together.

“It is certainly not a replacement for your GP and we’re not going to make people join; it’s an alternative or an added extra. I hope the Melksham club will replicate the success we’ve had in Bradford on Avon, where we treat 45-50 people per week and also have a health trainer, podiatrist, balance classes, short walks, and an art group.”

The club is appealing to local businesses to help it  to raise £5,000 to cover equipment costs before it is able to start up. For more information about the Lindsay Leg Club foundation go to www.legclub.org.