Nine superstars from across the health and disability sector gathered in Wellington today for the first Move Well design day.
This diverse group brought together support workers, health and safety leaders, trainers, physiotherapists, and senior leadership to collaboratively develop free resources to reduce support worker musculoskeletal injuries
What’s Next?
A second design day is scheduled for next week, after which the team will move on to creating the resources. These materials will be made freely available to organisations across the health and disability sector.
The resources will be ready by June 2026.
Register Your Interest
If you’re interested in contributing to the design of the resources, or using them when they’re ready, email [email protected].
What is the Move Well Initiative?
The Move Well Initiative will be a pick-up-and-use suite of practical resources designed to reduce injuries, reduce days off for injury and to improve kamahi job satisfaction. The initiative will be available free of charge, and it will be launched in June 2026. It includes three core elements:
- Awareness Drive – highlights the significant personal and organisational cost of musculoskeletal injuries and builds engagement in the learning journey.
- Focus on Leaders – engages leaders at all levels, defining their role in injury prevention, reporting, and post-injury support for kaimahi.
- Skills for Kaimahi – training with a strong prevention focus that empowers kamahi to take responsibility for their own wellbeing.
Why it matters
WorkSafe estimates there were 26,139 “lifting and carrying injuries” in the health and disability sector in 2015. This equates to tens of thousands of workdays lost to injury and a significant impact on injured support workers, their whānau, and the people they support.
We’re excited to have the opportunity to improve the lives of kaimahi and the people they support. We’ll be sharing updates as we move toward next year’s big launch.
