Pop-up podiatry project made people smile with affordable foot care

A Podiatry student is one step ahead providing great care after creating a pop-up, foot health ‘on the move’ community clinic.

North Londoner Sarah Finucane originally worked in publishing. But over recent years, she had ‘itchy feet’ to move to an entirely different profession – podiatry, or the clinical treatment of feet and lower limbs.

Sarah has just completed the first year of her degree in Podiatry at University of Northampton (UON) and she says: “The world of foot care is a midlife career change for me. I’ve been a qualified Foot Health Practitioner (FHP) for the past two years. This may sound odd to some, but I have always liked feet. But originally, I never considered taking a degree in podiatry, but when I started looking into it, I thought maybe this was for me. I realised to be taken seriously in this new and exciting field I needed to make a new career for myself.

“I came up to Northampton for an Open Day and, although I’m only one year in, I have much more confidence, greater knowledge of the anatomy of the foot, plus I know a great deal more after this first year about different diseases and then the medications used to treat different infections.”

Last month, Sarah (pictured with her niece Treanna, who helped with receptionist duties) added an extra string to her philanthropic bow with The Footworks Social, a pop-up foot clinic and conversation space for seniors in the Irish community. This affordable healthcare initiative was based in various Irish centres across North London and Luton.

Supporting the Irish community is something Sarah holds dear, as she explains: “Many older Irish ‘expats’ moved to England over the years and have done well and made great lives for themselves here, like my Mum and Dad.

“But others didn’t do so well, perhaps living alone and needing extra help to look after themselves, so I feel I have a duty to help others the same age as my parents who may experience difficulties in older age. The Footworks Social is my way of giving back to people who supported me to get to where I am and these pop-up clinics are rooted in the treatments I can provide as an FHP.”

Sarah’s clinic was part-funded by the University’s Chancellor’s Fund. This provides students with funds or resources to enhance their education or employability – including training, research, or extracurricular activities with a clear social impact benefit.

And the clinics were a resounding success – Sarah treated 143 patients at 16 of the pop-ups. She adds, “It was hard work, but very rewarding and I treated patients with a range of health issues. Having a business background has ensured the success of this project as I was able to secure funding and sponsorship from private businesses, including UON.

“And it wasn’t just about providing affordable and much-needed foot healthcare. Another important aspect has been connecting with people and listening to them, for instance helping patients with dementia to reminisce about good times in the past.

“Although my original aim was to treat members of one community, Irish centres are open to all. We saw other communities come along for treatment meaning the impact of Footworks has been even greater.”

Nuala Ely, from the Luton Irish Forum, adds: “This clinic is such a welcome benefit to our community – where they can come and receive first class treatment in a familiar surrounding at a very reasonable price.  Sarah and her team have been professional and welcoming, putting people at ease whilst they receive treatment which they may have otherwise not been able to afford or access locally and not prioritised the importance of footcare health in these difficult financial times. Feedback from users has been so positive and highlights the need for this service. One user said, ‘I feel like I’m walking on air’ after having some painful corns removed.”

Sarah’s pop-up clinic will reopen its doors for one last week from Tuesday 29 August to Friday 1 September. Locations will be in Luton, Cricklewood and Wimbledon. For more, please email sarahpaulinefinucane@gmail.com

Find out more about the degree in Podiatry at University of Northampton and our Chancellor’s Fund.