MHA, the Methodist-based housing and care charity for older people, announced the successful completion of the first stage in its plan to offer reflexology free of charge to all its residents.

At an awards ceremony held at the Midland Hotel in Derby, the first members of MHA's staff to complete their training in reflexology were presented with diplomas by MHA Chair, Keith Salsbury.

Also present at the ceremony was Nicola Hall, Director of the Bayly School of Reflexology, the UK's first reflexology training school and the official teaching body of the British Reflexology Association, from which the 27 newly qualified practitioners have received their diplomas.

MHA believes that its reflexology initiative is the first time that such a project has been undertaken on this scale within any care organisation.

Reflexology is a form of ancient Chinese medicine that involves the massage of reflex areas found in the feet and hands. Susan Rocks, MHA Services Manager, says that reflexology does not claim to be a cure-all but that certain disorders have been successfully treated by this method. These include problems common among older people, such as breathing disorders, digestive, circulatory and back problems, and stress.

Staff believe that reflexology offers an additional way to care for 'the whole person' and it is hoped that the complementary therapy will become an integral part of the care that residents receive week by week.

All members of staff have been offered the opportunity to apply for training. Every qualified MHA practitioner is allocated seven hours a week to offer the therapy, but always with the agreement of an individual's own GP. Basic Hand Reflexology will be available at all times from staff familiar with this process.

Among the diploma recipients at Monday's ceremony was Anna Lovett, Activities Coordinator at Willersley House, MHA's residential home in Hull. Originally from Poland, Anna not only volunteered to undertake the year-long training course but had to learn all its technical terms by first translating them into Polish and then translating the meanings back into English again. Anna was one of the top-scoring candidates in the final course exams.

Anna says that the main benefit of reflexology for her residents is its relaxing effect. "It takes their mind off worries, problem and pains. We use a relaxing recliner chair and soothing music, and we begin by massaging feet." Anna says that this is a rare experience for older people.

Ms Rocks believes that much can be communicated to a person through touch alone and that this is particularly important for people living with dementia or in the palliative stages of illness.

"At present, the expected level of improvement in health and well-being can only be guessed at. However, we hope to establish a way to assess the impact of this project throughout the coming months," she said.