An icegrip is fitted on the shoe of Pat Noble by Darren Everingham, while Nick Thompson (KC) and Anna Heddle (Goodwin Trust) look on

A partnership drive aimed at cutting slips and falls during bouts of bad weather has been praised by business leaders and health officials.

KC has joined forces with other members of One Hull’s Health and Wellbeing Partnership to ensure older residents are better prepared for the next bout of icy weather when it comes.

KC has funded the purchase of 2,000 pairs of ‘icegrips’ – rubber-based covers for shoes and boots that prevent slipping in icy and snowy conditions – that will be distributed to older residents in the city by Goodwin Development Trust’s Health and Wellbeing team and other partners from the voluntary and community sector.

The icegrips fit over footwear comfortably and have special non-slip studs that reduce the risk of falls when walking on icy or snowy pavements. Community Warden Darren Everingham said that he has been using the special footwear for several years on snow patrols and during that time had often came across older people who found it difficult to leave the house for even the basics.

“Seeing people stuck at home for fear of falling on the ice, while I was able to get around wearing icegrips, made me think it would be great if we could make them available to more people,” said Darren.

“The icegrips will give them back some of their independence and confidence when the next bout of bad weather strikes, whether it’s later this winter or next.”

The icegrips will be distributed and fitted by the voluntary organisations taking part as part of their work supporting and visiting older or vulnerable people. The organisations already have lots of contact with people who will benefit from wearing the icegrips and are planning well in advance to prepare for future conditions.

Nick Thompson, KC’s Director of Consumer Services, said: “We received feedback from community organisations about the difficulty facing many of the residents during the extreme weather earlier this winter.

“KC is pleased to be able to support this initiative. We hope it will not only reduce the number of falls and injuries, but that it will also improve quality of life by reducing isolation as people are more able to get out and about in poor weather conditions.”

According to figures released by the East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, the A&E Department in Hull saw nearly a 29 per cent rise in patients coming in as a direct result of a falls in December and January combined, compared to the summer months. Experts say this figure might have been much higher, but for the fact that people simply chose not to risk venturing out as temperatures plummeted and conditions quickly deteriorated.

Ian Blakey, Chair of the One Hull Health and Wellbeing Partnership, said: “Through our Sloppy Slippers campaign, partners distributed thousands of pairs of slippers to older people to help prevent slips and falls in the home from poorly fitted slippers.

“This project could have the same impact on the health and safety of older residents, and we’re delighted KC is supporting it.”

Wendy Richardson, Director of Public Health for NHS Hull, also praised the initiative, commenting "During snowy and icy conditions the use of icegrips may give some residents the confidence to venture out safely to buy essentials such as bread or milk. 

“Nothing is failsafe, but the icegrips have the potential to reduce the risk of injury or harm – and anything that can help to reduce this risk while walking must be seen as a benefit.”

The icegrips are being distributed with a safe fitting demonstration by the following organisations:

• Goodwin Development Trust – call 342294
• Endike Community Care – call 809473
• The Age UK Falls Team – call 591524
• Humber All Nations Alliance – call 491177
• Carers Centre Hull – call 225078