A manual handling adviser in Malawi
A long ambition was realised in February 2023 to volunteer with a charity that supports children and adults abroad. Being part of a team dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of fellow human beings is both an honour and delight. Two weeks can change your life forever and be the start of a long term inspirational collaboration in a far off continent.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain an insight into therapy and handling amongst some of the poorest communities in Malawi
- Understand the importance of developing flexibility and innovation in our work
- Have the opportunity to be inspired by other people living a very different life to those in the UK
Meet our Experts

Carole is a Chartered Physiotherapist working as a freelance Manual Handling Adviser. She has over 35 years’ experience in the field of manual handling, and takes great delight in finding solutions that work for both the person asking for help and the person giving help.
People who watched this also watched...
Right seating, right timing, and right place - seating in residential facilities and the consequences of non provision
As the population ages, providing comfortable and supportive seating in nursing homes has become more critical than ever. This webinar explores the significant benefits of investing in proper seating for elderly residents in long-term care facilities.
Attendees will learn how well-designed seating can improve physical health, reduce the risk of pressure sores, enhance mobility, and support better posture. The session will also address the mental and emotional well-being of residents, emphasising how comfort and dignity are maintained through thoughtful seating choices.
How can we make single handed care a more realistic and efficient option?
In this webinar, Kay James will use case scenarios and videoed practical solutions to show how single carer handling can be implemented and discuss how to tackle some of the common barriers.
Sit smart: seating, positioning and pressure care in practice
For Occupational Therapists, seating and positioning are not only about posture- they directly influence skin integrity, function, participation, comfort, and long-term health outcomes. Poor alignment and inadequate support can significantly increase pressure injury risk, impact upper limb function, and limit occupational engagement.
In this webinar, we will explore how seating posture, pelvic alignment, and support surface selection influence pressure distribution in seated clients. Using an occupational therapy lens, the session will link biomechanical principles to functional performance, risk assessment, and real-world clinical decision-making.
A live demonstration using a pressure mapping system will compare alternative seating positions in real time, illustrating how subtle adjustments in pelvic positioning, trunk support, and cushion setup can dramatically change pressure distribution and risk profiles. All these factors can help better inform 24 hour positioning.
This session is ideal for Occupational Therapists working in wheelchair services, community practice, neurorehabilitation, long-term care, and complex seating provision who want to strengthen their pressure care assessment skills and intervention strategies.