30 November 2022
BSR has collaborated in the development of a toolkit aimed at helping employers and further education institutions understand the part they play in both preventing MSK conditions and supporting young people with existing MSK conditions.
In the UK, 2.8 million people under the age of 35 live with an MSK condition – it impacts their physical and their mental health, and they manage pain and discomfort every day. Around 400,000 people have MSK conditions that start before the age of 16. Transitioning into further education or the workplace can be challenging for young people living with these conditions. This toolkit aims to improve understanding amongst employers and further education institutions so that they can provide the support young people need at this critical time in their life.
Along with clinical experts, and college and university experts, young people have been instrumental in the development of the toolkit.
Ali Rivett, CEO of BSR said: "We believe that creating an environment that prevents MSK conditions from developing and allows people who are living with MSK conditions to meet their full potential is crucial. This can be a particular challenge for young people, and so this new toolkit will support employers and further education institutions to enable them to thrive, irrespective of the difficulties they may be facing."
Practical advice in this toolkit for employers and FE institutions will help adolescents and young people maintain good MSK health, supporting BSR's wider commitment to ensuring its work addresses the full life course.