Join The “Hands-On” Revolution!
– National Massage Day and Pro-Touch Awareness Month 2019
– Success of UK launch in October 2018: “Paying it forward”
– Feedback, ideas and collaboration now called for across sector
National Massage Day was re-launched by incoming co-ordinator Lizzie Badger on October 1st 2018 – alongside a new initiative, Pro-Touch Awareness Month, that ran for the whole of October. Over 1100 therapists and members of the public joined in from all over the UK and from all types of therapy modalities – holistic, physio and beauty therapists to reiki, energy healers and soul midwives! The events were celebrated by “paying it forward,” with money raised for good causes and 100’s of hours of volunteering delivered and pledged.
“I did two voluntary mornings in St. Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph, North Wales this week offering treatments. It was AMAZING! If it’s something you’ve never done before, do it. It’s extremely humbling. I was nervous as I didn’t know what to expect but it was a lovely place. I enjoyed it so much I’m going in one day a month from now on!” B Masters, Reflexologist.
There was also a free online platform (open to the public and therapists alike) highlighting a wide range of the different hands-on therapies and treatments available. There is still a growing library of articles, videos, client testimonials and lists of the multiple benefits each treatment offers… and more contributions and experts are called for. Therapists also took part in the facebook group – sharing their events, ideas, competitions, articles of interest and arranging therapy swaps.
“Happy National Massage Day! I will be teaching foster carers and adopters some positive touch and massage with children’s teddies to help me! It is so great that Lizzie has taken up the reins for moving National Massage Day forward. Huge thanks Liz and I can’t wait to hear how it all goes!” Gill Tree, original founder of National Massage Day.
The new sponsors and co-ordinators are the Therapist Business Club, where Lizzie is a co-founder. They are now looking for feedback, ideas and involvement from across the whole wellness sector globally for October 2019 – from individual therapists to publications, radio stations, awarding and membership bodies, MPs, colleges and any “mover shaker” who wants to champion the power of touch and connection in our modern society.
Lizzie says: “The enthusiasm, co-operation and the desperate need for such an event has simply blown me away! Organisations and therapists that would normally compete in the same market place have dropped any barriers and jumped straight in. It’s been fantastic – business as a force for good – which is exactly what it should be. I can’t wait to see what 2019 brings!”
An online feedback survey has been created, inviting anyone interested to give feedback and/or get involved. This is available via the facebook group, direct link (to Survey Monkey) or the Blog post as provided below. We encourage you all to plan for and engage with the 2019 celebrations!
Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NationalMassageDayandProTouchMonth/
Direct Link to the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YXSQ3VJ
Link to the Blog:
https://therapist-business-club.co.uk/business-kindness/the-heart-led-therapist-business-for-a-better-world/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lizzie Badger is co-founder of the Therapist Business Club and award-winning owner of a UK-wide massage training school www.face-the-world.co.uk, holding a patent for choreographed massage. She created the UK Volunteer Therapist Hub and is the new owner and founder of National Massage Day and Pro-Touch Awareness Month. Lizzie is passionate about bringing the healing power of touch back into everyday society – especially to those who need it the most.
Images: Please contact Lizzie for any high resolution versions and footnotes.