This May, Back In Motion practices will again spearhead a fundraising campaign to close the significant gap in health outcomes within remote indigenous communities through supporting the SOS Health Foundation.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the SOS Health Foundation was established to translate the success, expertise and resources of the Back In Motion Health Group into long term positive change for disadvantaged Australians through improving access to healthcare.

The Work4Significance initiative is the annual fundraising event hosted by Back In Motion physiotherapy practices across Australia. All funds raised by practices this May will support the ongoing work of the full time SOS Health services clinic on Palm Island, in North East Queensland.

“Palm Island is one of the most unique places in Australia, where all 200 tribes of indigenous communities have been cobbled together into what historically was a penal settlement,” says Back In Motion Group Director and Founder of SOS, Jason T. Smith. “It’s a melting pot of culture, language and traditions, with disruption on a scale and severity not otherwise normally experienced in other indigenous communities.”

As the largest benefactor of SOS, Back in Motion Health Group is helping drive culturally sensitive positive change within indigenous communities. In 2018, SOS health volunteers contributed over 4,200 hours and 2,100 consultations. The foundation also conducted 13 indigenous outreach programs and supported 4 pro bono clinics.

Back In Motion practices have raised over $1.8m for the SOS Health Foundation in the last decade through Work4Significance activities, and this May will add to that total by working together to help fund the full time health services clinic for the Palm Island Community.

During May, Back In Motion practices will switch colours from maroon to SOS blue and will hold raffles, cake sales and sausage sizzles to work towards a 2019 fundraising goal of $120,000.

Nikki Cap, CEO of the SOS Health Foundation, says the ongoing support of Back In Motion practices and volunteer physios is essential to building vibrant and healthy indigenous communities.

“We fund Health and Culture Walks and Camps with primary and secondary school kids on Palm Island to grow their experience and understanding of their culture and care for their own health.”

“Whether it’s rehab on tired knees from weeks of being on walk-about or diabetes advice and exercise programs, working with SOS Health Services on Palm Island has really given the community a sense of what physiotherapy is and how it can help. Having local health teams and volunteers work together is so important to really make lasting change for the people here,” adds Nikki.