Brentwood Slipper Swap
Reducing fall risk and supporting older adults to stay safe, confident and active
Falls are one of the biggest health risks for older adults, with nearly one in three people over 65 and half of people over 80 experiencing a fall each year.
In Mid and South Essex alone, over 10,000 emergency admissions in 2024 were fall related. To support older residents and reduce preventable injuries, Brentwood introduced a Slipper Swap programme, providing safe, NHS approved slippers in exchange for old, unsafe footwear.
Delivered through pop‑up community events, the Slipper Swap gave residents free access to safer slippers, while also opening conversations about fall prevention, confidence, and independence. Alongside the footwear exchange, each event offered simple strength and balance advice and distributed ‘Able Like Mabel’ guides to encourage daily movement, reinforcing how regular physical activity can support balance, mobility and independence. The programme made falls awareness more approachable and helped residents connect with wider local support services.
Falls and frailty are caused by a combination of factors, including home hazards and age‑related physical changes such as reduced muscle strength, slower reactions and changes to balance and gait. Physical activity can help offset many of these changes by improving strength, stability, balance and confidence. By offering simple strength and balance guidance and “Able Like Mabel” resources, the Slipper Swap events encouraged older adults to build small, regular movement habits that can reduce their risk of falling.
Active Essex played a key role by attending events to speak with residents, promoting local activity opportunities through the Find Your Active Navigator, and supplying free “Able Like Mabel” guides. They helped highlight the importance of physical activity in reducing falls risk by promoting low‑impact opportunities that build strength, balance and confidence among older adults.
They helped raise awareness of fall prevention, strengthened partnerships between multiple organisations, and used their communication channels to increase community participation. Their involvement supported a more holistic approach to preventing falls and encouraging active ageing.
Key learnings
It's important to take time to reflect and understand the learnings from work undertaken, to focus on ways to improve in the future
Community settings boost turnout
Using existing groups like tea dances increased engagement.
Simple offers spark wider support
Safe slippers helped start conversations about confidence and wellbeing.
Capacity gaps affect delivery
Staff changes reduced coordination and in‑person support.
Partnerships widen impact
Multiple partners supporting the programme has helped strengthen reach and boosted collaboration
Future events deepen prevention
2026 dates will build on progress and strengthen messaging.
Active Essex’s involvement strengthened the reach of the programme, broadened local engagement and encouraged residents to explore more opportunities for physical activity. Their support also helped establish stronger cross‑organisation collaboration and raised awareness of falls prevention across Brentwood.
Further Slipper Swap dates have already been confirmed for 2026, enabling the programme to continue supporting older adults and expanding its prevention‑focused approach. Future events aim to deepen partnerships and continue integrating strength and balance messaging. By continuing to combine home safety with physical activity support, the programme will help older adults maintain strength, balance and independence, addressing both immediate and long‑term factors that contribute to falls.
