Health Hacks phase 1 – Spring 2025

On Wednesday 2nd April, ROC launched Phase 1 of Health Hacks at Bournville All-Through School, delivering an interactive and educational workshop to Year 4 and Year 5 students. The workshop was designed to educate pupils about their bodies, encourage healthier lifestyles and promote musculoskeletal (MSK) injury prevention. 

The morning began with a session led by physiotherapists, who introduced students to the roles of bones and muscles in the body. Through a series of interactive games, children explored how their bodies move and respond to different challenges. Activities included a tap the light reaction game to test coordination and speed, balance drills where students stood on one leg while reaching for cones and a balloon throw challenge combining balance and movement to develop control and stability. These activities helped students understand the importance of physical activity in maintaining strong muscles and joints while keeping them engaged and excited to learn. The session also focused on general well-being, where children learnt about the importance of diet, sleep and exercise. They discovered how factors like healthy foods, regular movement and good rest contribute to overall health, helping them understand how to take care of their bodies. 

The next session, led by Trauma and Orthopaedic Doctors, focused on the skeletal system and common injuries. Students had the opportunity to examine real X-rays, identifying different bones and spotting fractures. They also took part in a hands-on activity where they applied wool and crepe bandages to themselves and their classmates, mimicking the process of casting broken bones.

One pupil said, “I definitely want to be a doctor when I’m older.”

These activities sparked a lively Q&A, where students asked questions about health, injuries and anatomy.  

To conclude the workshop, students were given a community task, which is Phase 2 of Health Hacks. Their mission is to take the knowledge they’ve gained and share it with their families, friends or carers, creating a plan to incorporate these healthy habits into their daily routines over the next four weeks. 

In two weeks time, ROC will revisit the school to check in with the students to see how they’ve applied their learning at home. Then, on 1st May, they will move into Phase 3 with a visit to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. During the visit, students will experience a day in the life of various healthcare professionals, gaining insight into their roles. They will also have the chance to present their experiences and findings from the community challenge and finish with an exciting tour of the hospital.  

Click here to find out more about the Health Hacks initiative and our goals going forward.

If you would like to become part of the ROC Health Hacks community, email us on roc@nhs.net.

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Supporting Safeguarding of patients & Staff at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

Meet Skha – Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Advocate

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation Trust’s Safeguarding Team has introduced a new Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Advocate role which is proudly Funded by ROC.

This is a significant step in supporting victims and survivors within the healthcare setting, offering dedicated support above and beyond what the Trust is usually able to provide.

Many victims face significant barriers to seeking help, including fear, stigma, and lack of awareness of available resources. As the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Advocate (DASVA), Skha is dedicated to ensuring no one at ROH navigates these challenges alone.

Skha has worked in various advocacy and frontline roles, including Regional Independent Domestic Violence Advisor, Domestic Abuse Practitioner, and Domestic Abuse Lead Worker. She has also collaborated with Non – Governmental Organisations internationally on gender-based violence prevention, research, and policy development.

Her mission is to ensure victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are heard, believed, and empowered. She provides direct support to patients and staff, conducts risk assessments, safety planning and collaborates with multi-agency partners to ensure holistic care and support, including referrals to the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference, social services, and specialist support organisations.

Since taking on the role, Skha has supported 25 patients and staff members and played a key role in awareness campaigns, including the “16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women and Girls” and a recent sexual violence awareness roadshow. She is currently conducting a Sexual Violence Awareness Audit to assess staff readiness in handling disclosures related to sexual violence by patients and staff in line with the NHS sexual safety charter.

Moving forward, Skha will continue supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence, developing training materials, enhancing care pathways, and embedding this role into Trust’s operations. This charity-funded position reflects the Trust’s commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for its patients and staff members.

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Sunday 4th May 2025

Take on the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run and raise money for ROC! Whether you go for the 10K or the half marathon, you’ll be part of the Midlands’ biggest running event, complete with en-route entertainment and a finish line celebration that feels like a party!

Run with #TeamROH, feel the Birmingham spirit and make a difference for patients and staff at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

1️⃣ Email roc@nhs.net to express your interest.
2️⃣ We’ll send you a short sign-up form.
3️⃣ Once completed, we’ll cover your entrance fee and help you secure your place in the run.
4️⃣ Set up your fundraising page and watch the support roll in! Not to mention, ROC will be on hand to promote your page to help boost your fundraising total.

After undergoing complex surgeries and intensive treatment at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH), Kerry decided to turn her experience into a way to give back and help others. 

Kerry organised a 12-hour Spinathon at Anytime Fitness Malvern, raising nearly £3,000 for the Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC). The fundraiser filled over 200 spin bikes, covering more than 2000 miles. Many took part in the challenge, motivated by a shared goal to raise funds for the ROH’s Oncology Department.

In this interview, Kerry shares her story and her motivation to give back.  

Thank you, Kerry, for your commitment and resilience.  

Feeling inspired? Why not get involved and make a powerful difference, just like Kerry? Click here to view upcoming fundraising events.  

On Saturday 4th May, John completed the staggering 106km Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge, raising a phenomenal amount of money for ROC. Despite setting an initial fundraising target of £600, John’s determination and the overwhelming generosity of his supporters led to an extraordinary total of £8,700, plus an additional £1,148.75 in Gift Aid! 

While most people struggle to get their recommended 10,000 steps a day, John achieved an incredible 161,874 steps, covering 67 miles in just under 24 hours. 

John’s motivation was personal. His 23 year old son, Alex, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year after experiencing persistent leg pain. What began as an ordinary doctor’s visits escalated quickly when Alex was sent for an X-ray. Within 24 hours of having the X-ray, the family received the life changing news. Alex, a young and active individual, faced a challenging journey involving the removal of his knee and parts of his femur and tibia, as well as 18 weeks of intense chemotherapy over a 28 week period. 

Despite the challenges, Alex has demonstrated remarkable resilience, showing strength and composure every step of the way. “We are yet to see tears from him,” John shared. 

Determined to support his son, John shaved his head to make Alex feel more at ease when he began chemotherapy. Still feeling helpless with the condition Alex was in, John was motivated to support him further by raising money for Alex’s hospital: The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. 

John’s journey was more than just a trek; it was a powerful testament to his strength and commitment to helping others. 

HUGE congratulations to John for his exceptional accomplishment!  

If you’d like to take part in an Ultra Challenge, like John, click here.

“In 2017 I had confirmation that I had an osteochondron, a benign tumour that grows on the surface of the bone and that about 1% of these develop into a malignant form. In April 2023 I was diagnosed with a grade 2 secondary chondrosarcoma. This is a relatively rare cancer- approximately 200 cases in the UK but we were fortunate that Professor Lee Jeys at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham is a world leading expert in the condition, having published over 300 scientific papers. Professor Jeys was recently awarded the DSc, the highest research degree in the UK and only awarded for individuals who make an outstanding contribution to their field. He was instrumental in developing a computer assisted surgical approach that greatly improves outcomes (improving 5 year specific survival by 20%).

Clearly the diagnosis came as a shock, but Lee took considerable time to explain our options- one of which was a full leg/hind quarter amputation to have the most confidence of removing the cancer. Taking a more balanced approach to provide the best function and mobility we chose a hemi-pelvectomy that involved excising part of the pelvis and hip and using a custom 3D printed prosthetic implant to replace the bone.

The surgery took place at the end of June and involved being immobilised for a week with an epidural- as a natural fidget this was one of the areas I was most concerned about. Overall, I was in hospital for 3 weeks and I can’t speak highly enough of all the staff at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. There is such a strong culture there and they were all very friendly and effective at making this traumatic time as positive an experience as possible. Even the food was way better than I expected (especially the puddings) and having to attend every 3 months for scans the hospital and staff still continue to impress. As a nurse my wife was able to remove the 82 staples at home which was an unusual experience for me at least. One of the aspects that made such a difference to my function was a week of hydro and physiotherapy, 12 weeks after the operation. As this surgery is so specific to each person this intense week really helped to understand the individual limitations of my muscle loss and they tailored a rehabilitation programme that helped me greatly.

Fortunately, they removed the cancer with good margins and so it is now a question of plenty of physio to mobilise and regular scans. After a year there are no signs of malignancy and though I still rely on a walking stick for any distance but my function continues to improve. We are incredibly grateful for the excellent support of the NHS and the ROH in particular as we navigated the physical, emotional and practical sides of this condition.”

Join Gareth in supporting life saving cancer treatment and research at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. Every donation makes a difference! Click here to contribute to his fundraising efforts or send him a message of encouragement.

Join ROC’s 2024 “Design A Christmas Card Competition” and showcase your creativity by designing a festive card front cover!

Open to all ages, with the chance to have your design featured as one of our official Christmas cards!

Your design must be on ROC’s worksheet. Click here to download and print. 

Submit your entry by  Wednesday 16th October 2024.

Post it to:

Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC)

Royal Orthopaedic Hospital

Bristol Road South

Northfield

Birmingham 

B31 2AP

Countdown to submit your design:

A heartfelt thank you to Josh Rayner and his fiancée Jess for organising the Willis Family Fun Day on Saturday 10th August 2024, which successfully raised £7,035.64 for ‘ROC’ and ‘Matthew’s A Friend In Me’. This event united the Barnsley community for a day of fun and uplifting community spirit.

Josh was driven to fundraise for ROC after witnessing the exceptional care his brother-in-law, Jamie Willis, received at the ROH. In 2021, Jamie was diagnosed with bone cancer in his knee, a devastating blow that led to intensive surgery where his knee and femur were replaced with titanium. The recovery was challenging, but Jamie’s determination and the hospital’s support gave him a new lease on life.

Earlier this year, a setback occurred when Jamie experienced a fracture in his leg and required further medical attention, which only reinforced Josh’s commitment to giving back to the hospital that had done so much for his family.

The Willis Family Fun Day was filled with activities like a darts competition, live music, and family entertainment, with the community and local
businesses contributing to its success.

Josh and Jess are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support and are considering the possibility of organising another event in 2025, continuing their mission to “change lives one penny at a time.”

Matthew’s a Friend In Me raises money to support families with children suffering from childhood cancer and provides them with financial assistance.

If you’d like to support ROC by organising your own fundraising event, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way and provide all the resources you need to make a lasting difference. Email roc@nhs.net to get started!