Cricket sessions as physiotherapy at Gobown spinal injuries unit
Cricket Shropshire’s coaches have been reflecting on the success of a physiotherapy project run for spinal injury patients at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital at Gobowen.
The Board has been delivering sessions at the hospital for the past two years, using cricket as an alternative way to support patients through movement, confidence and connection.
Cricket Shropshire’s Inclusion Officer Tyler Ibbotson said: “We come in once a month to deliver alternative multi-sport cricket related activity for patients and we see the positive impact both socially and physically for them.”
Fellow coach Naomi Payne said: “Our sessions provide a different kind of physiotherapy. Cricket uses a different skill set, so you’re obviously using different muscles and parts of the body you wouldn’t normally use in other physiotherapy sessions.
This programme is funded through The National Lottery, whose support helps make sessions like this possible.
When asked to describe the partnership with Gobowen in three words Naomi said: “Rewarding, inspiring and exciting.”
Cricket Shropshire’s Development Administrator Vanessa Russell who has attended a number of the sessions said: “Happy, togetherness and rewarding.”
Tyler said: “Inclusive, connecting and empowering.”
When asked to pinpoint a time that was most memorable for them, Vanessa said: “For me, it would be Christmas.
“We were quite busy with patients that day, we had taken wrapped presents for everybody and anything left over we donated to the hospital. It was just such a lovely atmosphere.”
Naomi said: “All of the visits have got their highlights, but for me it was seeing quite a young chap who was fairly reserved at the start, which is absolutely fine, but then in one of the most recent sessions we did, he got stuck into absolutely everything.”
The hospital’s involvement in the programme was organised by Luke Rushton, Senior Physiotherapist in the MCSI Therapy Team, who played a key role in driving the collaboration with Cricket Shropshire and helping to establish the sessions for patients.
Thank you to everyone at Gobowen Hospital and The League of Friends at the Heart of RJAH for the continued support — we’re proud to be part of something that makes a real difference.
