What is N-FIT

N-FIT is a multi-disciplinary group of people who are passionate about implementation of evidence based practice in falls prevention. The N-FIT Team supports delivery and roll-out of FaME1,2 sessions in the community so that people at risk of falls can receive an effective dose of functional strength and balance exercise with proven outcomes. The Inaugural N-FIT Steering Meeting took place on 14th April 2022. Download a flyer here.

Who are N-FIT?

N-FIT is a multi-disciplinary group that comprises membership from:

  • Later Life Training, who provide the training of Postural Stability Instructors (PSIs) to deliver FaME;
  • AGILE, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Professional Network for physiotherapists working with older people and integral to fostering trust between PSIs and therapists for seamless referral for patients from the rehabilitation setting;
  • AgeUK, the Charity which has a large number of commissioned falls exercise provision services across the UK;
  • RoSPA, the National Organisation involved with safety and with a special interest in falls prevention;
  • Academics with expertise (from across the UK)
  • at least 3 representatives from falls services/FaME providers across the UK that implement FaME (with fidelity) from public health, voluntary and charitable organisations.

N-FIT Aims:

  • To increase spread and uptake of FaME within community services for older people, across the UK, allowing more people to access this proven cost-effective programme.
  • To provide advice and mentorship to services who wish to implement FaME in their areas for the first time.
  • To support and improve fidelity and quality in services which already support FaME provision.
  • To support Commissioners, Funders, Service Providers and PSIs in their delivery of FaME.

N-FIT will provide:

  • advice and mentorship for new services wishing to implement the evidence-based FaME programme in their areas.
    • We will work closely with commissioners and funders across the NHS, local government (public health) and voluntary organisations, using the FaME Implementation toolkit3, to help design, plan, deliver, and evaluate FaME programmes.
  • advice and mentorship for existing services wishing to ensure their current provision of FaME programmes in their area are delivered with fidelity and quality, ensuring best return on investment.
    • We will work closely with services to provide quality improvement advice, externally or internally delivered, to ensure that the essential elements of FaME are delivered for best outcomes.
  • knowledge brokerage between services for peer-to-peer mentoring and advice.
    • We will provide a ‘match-making’ service between new and established FaME programmes.
  • advice on appropriate step down/transition onto strength and balance opportunities.
    • We will ensure a wider understanding of what exercise and physical activity opportunities help support the reduction of falls risk after leaving FaME.
  • a suite of resources to support spread and fidelity
    • We will develop, pilot, roll out and spread of new resources to support spread and fidelity (including letters, videos, leaflets, standards, guidelines, case studies, stories etc).
    • We will provide these new resources to update the FaME Implementation Toolkit
  • a Community of Practice to support Postural Stability Instructors (PSIs), their funders, managers and commissioners in any challenges, successes and adaptable FaME implementation facilitators.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/falls-prevention-cost-effective-commissioning

[2] http://www.ageingwellinwales.com/Libraries/Documents/Exercise-Guide-Final.pdf

[3] https://arc-em.nihr.ac.uk/clahrcs-store/falls-management-exercise-fame-implementation-toolkit

N-FIT and FLEXI

N-FIT was set up initially to support the FLEXI study, which is an NIHR ARC funded study to examine the implementation and roll-out of FaME in Greater Manchester (GM) and the South West (SW), and revisiting FaME delivery in Leicestershire, Rutland and Derby (East Midlands/EM). However, N-FIT is available to anyone currently delivering, or wanting to deliver FaME, with fidelity and in a way that maximises return on investment.

Spread Aims of N-FIT

Spread Aims in first 18 months to support the FLEXI Study:

  • FLEXI will measure the spread aims.
  • In the South West, by the end of 2023 N-FIT will support Commissioners, Funders and Service Providers to DOUBLE the number of FaME (true) sessions available for older people to attend.
  • In Greater Manchester, by the end of 2023 N-FIT will support Commissioners, Funders and Service Providers to DOUBLE the number of FaME (true) sessions available for older people to attend.

Contact N-FIT

If you want to discuss how N-FIT can support you (as a PSI) or your service (as a manager, service provider, commissioner) please download the N-FIT enquiry form and send by email to the Chair: Professor Dawn Skelton or Bex Townley (dawn.skelton or bex at laterlifetraining.co.uk).