News

Prosthetic and orthotic services quietly underpin independence, mobility, and quality of life for thousands of people across the UK. Yet the vital work they deliver, the people who rely on them, and the skilled workforce that makes it possible are too often overlooked. This campaign exists to change that. It is about raising awareness of the real value of prosthetic and orthotic services and why they must be recognised, supported, and protected.

We are launching something bigger than a campaign. We are launching a shared movement.

The Prosthetics and Orthotics Awareness campaign brings patients, professionals, charities, stakeholders, and industry together as One Voice. It is a collective statement that these services matter, that the people who deliver them matter, and that the lives shaped by them matter.

The campaign will run from February 2nd until August 31st 2026, creating space over several months to listen, learn, and speak up together.

Prosthetic and orthotic services are often misunderstood as simply devices. In reality, they are skilled healthcare. They are built on clinical expertise, long term relationships, and deep understanding of individual needs. Delivered by highly trained professionals, these services support independence, dignity, mobility, and participation in everyday life. They change lives every single day.

Over the course of the campaign, we will be sharing videos, images, and quotes from representatives across the profession and from those who use these services. These voices will tell their own stories about how prosthetics and orthotics have impacted their lives and why they value prosthetic and orthotic services. Together, they will show the human reality behind the care.

Through this campaign, we are standing together to say that prosthetic and orthotic services deserve recognition, investment, and protection. Patients, clinicians, charities, and industry partners are speaking together to highlight the value of care that is personal, expert, and life changing.

This is why we value Prosthetic and Orthotic Services.

#WhyWeValuePO
#OneVoicePO
#ValuePO
#ProstheticsAndOrthotics
#PatientsAndProfessionals

Join the #ValueYourP&OTeam Campaign

Information for People Who Use Prosthetic & Orthotic Services

Prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) services change lives. This campaign is about making sure the public, decision-makers, and politicians understand just how important these services, and the people who deliver them really are.

If you have ever benefited from prosthetic or orthotic care, your voice can make a real difference.

You can take part in whatever way feels comfortable for you.

How You Can Get Involved

1. Share a 30-Second Video

Record a short portrait video (around 30 seconds) explaining:

• Why prosthetic and/or orthotic services matter to you
• How they support your independence, mobility, confidence, or daily life
• Finish with “that is why I value the prosthetic and orthotic services”

Tips:

• Use your phone.  it doesn’t need to be professional
• Film vertically if posting on social media
• Speak in your own words, authenticity matters more than polish

2. Share a Short Quote

Write one or two sentences explaining why you value P&O services.

You might say:

• “My prosthetic allows me to live independently and do the things I love.”
• “Orthotic support helps me stay mobile and active every day.”

You can post this:

• As text on social media
• Over a photo
• As part of a campaign graphic

3. Share Your Story

Tell your story in more detail if you feel able:

• How prosthetics or orthotics have helped you
• What access to good services means for your future

This could be:

• A social media post
• A short video
• A written story shared with the campaign team

Every experience is valid — long or short, simple or detailed.

4. Contact Your MP

You can help influence change by contacting your local MP.

Let them know:

• This campaign is running
• Why you support prosthetic and orthotic services
• How these services impact your life

Ask them to:

• Support prosthetic and orthotic services
• Champion P&O care publicly and politically

Personal messages from people with lived experience are powerful.

5. Share the Campaign with Local Media

Local newspapers and radio stations are often keen to share real stories.

You could:

• Tell them about the campaign
• Share your personal experience of P&O services
• Explain why these services matter in your community

This helps take the message beyond social media.

Where to Share

You can post your content on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• X (Twitter)
• LinkedIn
• TikTok

Or share directly with campaign partners if you prefer not to post publicly.

Hashtags to Use

Please include one or more of the official campaign hashtags so posts can be found and shared:

• #ValueYourOrthotist
• #ValueYourProsthetist
• #ValueYourTechnician
• #ValueYourSupportWorker
• #ValueYourP&OTeam

A Final Message

You do not need to be a campaigner or a public speaker to take part. Your lived experience is enough.

By sharing your voice, you are helping protect and promote the prosthetic and orthotic services that so many people rely on.

Please send your videos to kate.pugh@bapo.com 

Thank you for being part of this campaign

 

For more information about the campaign you can visit www.bapo.com

Please also see the filming guide below:

The British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BAPO) and the California Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (COPA) are pleased to announce a new collaboration aimed at raising the visibility of the prosthetic and orthotic profession globally. The collaboration brings together two leading organisations to address shared challenges, promote innovation, and champion the vital work the prosthetic and orthotic profession provides for our service users.

Luis Mora, President of COPA, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration:

“Our professions are at the heart of restoring mobility and independence for countless individuals. By joining forces with BAPO, we’re creating a platform for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and professional growth that will benefit practitioners and patients alike”.

Dr Nicky Eddison, Chair of BAPO, added:

“International co-operation is essential to the future of prosthetic and orthotics. This partnership reflects our mutual commitment to strengthening the profession, supporting workforce development, highlighting the skills of the prosthetic and orthotic workforce and ensuring they are valued”.

The collaboration will focus on joint initiatives, shared opportunities, and co-ordinated advocacy efforts with our international colleagues. Key priorities include, increasing public awareness of the profession, highlighting the critical role of orthotists and prosthetists in healthcare systems worldwide, and working together to address global workforce shortages within the prosthetic and orthotic sector.

The BAPO Association Partner Programme exists to strengthen global collaboration across the prosthetic and orthotic profession. The challenges facing prosthetics and orthotics, workforce sustainability, access to education, regulation, innovation, and patient need, do not stop at national borders. Global issues require global responses, and this partnership is designed to make that possible.

Through this programme, BAPO and its partner Associations commit to supporting one another through shared knowledge, shared resources, and aligned advocacy. By working together, we can raise the international profile of the prosthetic and orthotic profession, amplify professional voices, and promote consistent standards of care worldwide.

For BAPO members, these partnerships expand professional horizons, connecting the UK profession to international perspectives, innovation, and best practice. For partner Associations and their members, the programme provides access to high quality education, professional resources, and platforms that support learning, visibility, and engagement.

At its core, this partnership is about collective strength. By collaborating globally, we build a more connected, informed, and resilient profession that is better equipped to serve patients, support practitioners, and shape the future of prosthetics and orthotics together.

If you are interested in becoming an Association Partner please contact enquiries@bapo.com 

Association Partners

Building on the success of BAPO’s existing partnership programme, this new strand focuses specifically on working with journals and publishers to improve access to research, support education and continuing professional development, and increase visibility for high-quality scholarly content within the profession.

Benefits for BAPO Members

The Journal Partnership Programme delivers clear and tangible benefits for BAPO members, supporting their clinical practice, research activity and lifelong learning. Through these partnerships, members may gain access to:

• Reduced or waived article processing charges (APCs) for open-access publishing
• Greater exposure to relevant, high-quality research in prosthetics and orthotics
• Educational resources such as CPD articles, research summaries and webinars
• Improved engagement with journals aligned to professional priorities and clinical practice

By strengthening links with journals, BAPO aims to ensure that its members are supported to publish, access and apply evidence-based research, enhancing patient care and professional standards across the UK.

Benefits for Journals and Publishers

For journals, the programme provides a valuable opportunity to connect directly with a highly engaged, specialist professional audience. Partner journals benefit from:

• Increased visibility and recognition through BAPO’s website and communication channels
• Targeted promotion to practising prosthetists and orthotists across the UK
• Opportunities to share content and updates with members via newsletters, events and digital communications
• Stronger engagement with clinicians and researchers working at the forefront of prosthetics and orthotics practice

The programme offers flexible partnership options, enabling journals to select a model that best aligns with their strategic goals, whether focused on visibility, education, or member benefits.

Get Involved

BAPO welcomes expressions of interest from journals and publishers who share a commitment to advancing research, education and professional practice in prosthetics and orthotics.

For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities, please refer to the attached flyer or contact BAPO directly at enquiries@bapo.com 

Quote from Dr Laura Barr, chair of the BAPO Research Committee

“We are excited to work more closely with our journal partners through this new programme. It creates meaningful opportunities for the prosthetics and orthotics community to strengthen relationships between research and practice, support evidence-based care, and improve access to high-quality, relevant research for our members.”