Hands-on experience at Kiltwalk Aberdeen to support brain injury rehabilitation

RGU was approached by the event’s organisers to see what help its physiotherapy students could offer. The team will have a tent in the Kiltwalk Village near the finish line in Duthie Park to provide sports massages in exchange for a small donation. The sports massage will release tension in the muscles, help to prevent injury and speed up the walkers’ recovery.

Last year, more than 2000 walkers hit the streets of Aberdeen to take part across all three of the event’s walks: The Wee Wander, The Big Stroll and The Mighty Stride – at distances of 5, 15 and 26 miles respectively. Money raised by the students in the busy Kiltwalk Village will be topped up by an additional 40 per cent by The Hunter Foundation.

The eight students chose to support Brain Injury Group as they have a longstanding mutually-beneficial partnership with the charity. Across 14 weeks in the spring term, the students develop an exercise programme to help with the rehabilitation of the charity’s clients. This gives them an opportunity to build their confidence and access the gym or other exercise opportunities to maintain their physical activity throughout the year. The students benefit from this opportunity to work alongside people and develop skills in modifying exercise.

Nathaniel Gathchalian, one of the RGU students volunteering at the Kiltwalk, says: “A number of us have provided rehabilitation gym sessions to Brain Injury Grampian clients over the past term and it’s given us a real connection with this good cause. If we can help them even further while providing relief to the hundreds of people taking part in the Kiltwalk, it is an excellent combination.

“One of the key parts of the student experience at RGU is gaining practical skills which are invaluable for your future career, and we are all looking forward to getting more ‘hands-on’ experience at the Kiltwalk on Sunday."

Brain Injury Grampian is a volunteer-led charity aiming to support those affected by Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) by raising awareness of the condition and reducing the social isolation often experienced by people affected by ABI.

Deputy Convenor for Brain Injury Grampian, Rhona Davidson, says: “It is a great compliment to the BIG group that the students have chosen to support our charity, and we are very grateful. The students have developed a better understanding of the effects of acquired brain injury and the devastating effect it can have on someone’s life.

“The gym sessions are very popular with our members who have often become socially isolated. Many of them describe it as the highlight of their year. Our group feels very privileged that RGU continues to support it.”