Welcome to our Summer eNews for 2022.
It’s a perfect time to reflect on the achievements and challenges of 2022, especially as we celebrate 30 years as an organisation. It is wonderful to see our work, whether through existing or emerging projects, reflect the unwavering commitment to preventing and reducing the impact of injury set by our founders more than 30 years ago.
You can read more about our important work this year through our recently released our Annual Report for 2022. We’re excited about the coming year and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
Be sure to keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for updates, and check out our Careers page for vacancies in our team.
Six Supportive Steps
Injury Matters’ Road Trauma Support WA Service launched the ‘Six Supportive Steps’ campaign. The ‘Six Supportive Steps’ campaign aims to help people who have lost a loved one to road trauma, to prepare for and cope with the holiday season, and make sure West Australians know Road Trauma Support WA is here year-round with free, no-referral road trauma resources, counselling, and support.
Using actionable tips and strategies, the ‘Six Supportive Steps’ campaign will run from World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, 20 November, through the end of December, with each week focusing on one of six supportive steps; Remember, Acknowledge, Plan, Take Time, Support, and Act.
Our Programs
New Resource: Reporting Road Traffic Incidents
In collaboration with the Road Safety Commission, Injury Matters has launched the Reporting Road Traffic Incidents Resource to support the road safety sector to report road traffic incidents in a manner that is respectful to those impacted by road trauma and has a positive effect on road safety.
We all have a role to play in educating and creating societal change regarding road safety. This resource encourages everyone reporting on road traffic incidents in WA to consider the influence that their report may have on the audience.
2022 WA Falls Report
Falls and falls-related injuries continue to be a significant public health issue in Western Australia, ranking as the leading cause of injury hospitalisations in 2020.
Bringing attention to the incidence of falls-related fatalities, hospitalisations and emergency department attendances in WA and the need to implement effective falls prevention initiatives, Injury Matters has released the 2022 Western Australian Falls Report.
Update: Community Perceptions of Injury
In partnership with Monash University’s BehaviourWorks Australia team, Injury Matters recently finalised Stage One of the Community Perceptions of Injury project. This stage of the project sought to unpack the behavioural influences of unintentional injury, the self-reported incidence of injury prevention behaviours and how the WA community talks about the issue of injury prevention.
Move Your Body campaign
Injury Matters launched the Move Your Body campaign in September with the Move Your Body Safe-Tea Fair in partnership with the City of Swan. The fun-filled day included strength and balance assessments alongside a range of health services and stalls for older adults to engage with.
Physiotherapist Maryann Fabling and Emeritus Professor Bob Ziegler spoke on the importance of building your balance and strengthening your legs to prevent falls and active ageing. Attendees were also joined by Teresa Stokes for a Tai Chi session and the day was, of course, finished with afternoon tea and some lucky door prize winners!
Upcoming Events and Travel
Tai Chi for Arthritis: A Falls Prevention Instructor Training
29 March 2023 at 9am
Bendat Parent & Community Centre 36 Dodd Street, Wembley, WA
Tai Chi for Arthritis is a program designed by Dr Paul Lam and a team of medical specialists and Tai Chi experts. Based on the Sun style of Tai Chi, Tai Chi for Arthritis Prevention is easy to learn, effective, and safe. Tai Chi for Arthritis is an evidence-based program which works to prevent falls through improving balance, confidence and muscular strength in older adults. This two-day workshop will equip you with the necessary skills to facilitate your own Tai Chi classes and will be hosted by Sam Sujatna.
Injury Prevention Summit 2023
The Injury Prevention Summit is a one-day event held biennially by Injury Matters, via the Know Injury program, with funding from the Western Australian Department of Health.
Injury Prevention 101 eLearning module
Developed for WA’s injury prevention sector, this Module will guide you through the Public Health Approach to Injury Prevention and support you to plan, implement and evaluate activities/strategies to prevent or reduce harm from injury in your community.
In the Community
Have your say on falls prevention
A new hospital patient falls prevention education program is currently in development. If you are aged 65+ and would like to guide the development of the new program, researchers from The University of Western Australia and La Trobe University would value your insight. To express your interest in a community group meeting on Wednesday, 30th November, or a future one-on-one meeting.
Managing Your Wellbeing training
Our team recently undertook a training for the trainer workshop on Managing Your Wellbeing with the wonderful Engel from Mental Strides. This informative and valued workshop is a new education session to support those impacted by road trauma. It also reinforced to our caring and committed staff of the importance of looking after their own wellbeing.
Contact Road Trauma Support WA for more information on how we can deliver this or one of our other workshops for your community or workplace below.
Read our resources in different languages
A big thank you to Ethnolink for helping us to translate our Stay On Your Feet Falls Prevention Program Move Improve Remove resources into five languages – including Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, and Arabic.