Medequip has been out and about again this year attending some of the country’s best-attended summer shows, with the focus on sharing information on our services and listening to what people have to say about the challenges they face, as carers or as users of our equipment.
Here’s a brief round-up of where and how the team has been busy this year.
The Suffolk Show, Ipswich 29/30 May
The Suffolk Show attracts almost 90,000 people from all over the county each year and is an iconic agricultural event that celebrates the rich heritage, culture, and industry of Suffolk, dating back to 1832.
Medequip attended together with representatives from Rosscare, Medequip Connect, Healthwatch and also welcomed our local commissioners, giving us a valuable opportunity to meet with people using our services and also to spread the message about the important role played by community equipment.
We spoke with lots of visitors to the show, signposting our own and other services and giving out information in support of our work, including leaflets covering how to return products.
Staffordshire County Show, Stafford 29/30 May
The show provided an excellent platform for Medequip to showcase our products, engage with potential customers, and strengthen our presence in the community. Medequip's stand was strategically located in the Health and Wellbeing section of the show, ensuring high visibility.
We successfully engaged with over 300 visitors, addressing queries and providing product information. We also conducted daily demonstrations of the latest mobility aids, home healthcare equipment and assistive devices, attracting significant attention.
Medequip's participation in the Staffordshire County Show 2024 was a resounding success. The event provided a robust platform to connect with the community, showcase our innovative products, and gather crucial feedback.
Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge 6/7/8 June
The Royal Cornwall Show has been showcasing the best in Cornish agriculture and supporting the industry to thrive and innovate since 1793 and is one of the top agricultural shows in the country.
This is a new contract for Medequip; our service will launch here in October. Attendance at the Show enabled us to source valuable feedback from people on the current provision of the community equipment loan service.
We met with some key clinical contacts and therapy leads, starting the work of spreading our name across the community and healthcare spheres. We also made some excellent contacts with charitable organisations and community interest companies, with some great opportunities for future co-production work.
The Royal Norfolk Show, Norwich 26/27 June
Our debut at this leading agricultural event, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Our objectives are to engage with the community, to raise awareness about the Community Equipment Loan Service and offer solutions to help people live more independently.
Our exhibition unit and gazebo attracted lots of attention, and we distributed over 300 brochures and information packs, as well as answering questions and providing advice on how equipment can support people to live a more independent lifestyle. We also conducted a survey on visitors’ challenges to help guide future initiatives.
The overwhelming response from visitors was positive. Many expressed gratitude for the information and resources provided, and several individuals stopped to thank Medequip for the support they have received.
Other key events attended included:-
The Leighton Buzzard May Fayre - showcasing the options and possibilities of prescribed equipment and self-funding aids to help people live more independently
Taunton Armed Forces Day - a community event to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces and Emergency Services communities
Volfest Chelmsford – marking National Volunteers Week and bringing together over 50 local community organisations
Sight Support Derbyshire – a platform for organisations to showcase their support services, products and innovations aimed at enhancing quality of life for those with visual impairments
Essex OT Conference
North Yorkshire Prescriber Forum
Staffordshire Pensioners Information and Advice Show
Talking Dementia, Milton Keynes
Staffordshire Fire Service Open Day
Approach Staffordshire Dementia Support Group