By Bigboy Madzivanzira
Passionate about Mobility. Committed to Care. That’s the mission Sitwell Technologies brought to life today with a one-day training workshop on proper wheelchair assessment, seating principles, and pressure sore management, held at Rescu Sheltered Workshop.
The session gathered rehabilitation professionals from St Giles Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Health Promotion Clinic Trust, Rescu Sheltered Workshop, and Fairlie House. Participants included an Occupational Therapist, a Medical Rehabilitation Technician, and wheelchair technicians — all working hands-on to improve wheelchair provision for clients with mobility challenges.
Training Led by Experience
Facilitating the workshop was Mr Adam Botomley, Board Chair of Rescu and a seasoned wheelchair specialist. Using live demonstrations, Adam broke down complex concepts into practical skills participants could take straight back to their clients.
Core Focus Areas
1. Proper Assessment
Participants reviewed how to evaluate posture, pressure risk, range of motion, functional ability, and the client’s daily environment before prescribing a wheelchair. The goal: matching the right solution to the right person, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Too often we focus on getting any wheelchair out the door. Today reminded me that a proper assessment upfront saves us time, pain, and complications later,” said Abigail, Occupational Therapist at St Giles Medical Rehabilitation Centre
2. Seating Principles
The session covered pelvic positioning, trunk support, foot placement, and pressure distribution. Emphasis was placed on preventing postural deformity and discomfort that can limit wheelchair use. Practical demos showed how small adjustments create big gains in comfort and function.
3. Pressure Sore Management
A critical part of the day focused on identifying, preventing, and managing pressure sores. Topics included risk factors, early warning signs, regular pressure relief, cushion selection, and client education. The message was clear: pressure injury prevention starts at the first fitting and must be reinforced through follow-up.
*Collaboration Across Sectors*
By bringing together St Giles, Health Promotion Clinic Trust, Rescu, and Fairlie House, Sitwell created a space for shared learning across rehabilitation, community health, and sheltered employment sectors — reflecting its approach of working with Individuals & Families, Healthcare Professionals & Case Managers, and Institutions & Care Facilities.
Closing the workshop, Fungai Mawerera, Administrative Manager for Rescu, thanked all stakeholders for coming together. “This kind of collaboration is exactly what our clients need. When we share skills and align on best practice, we all move better and live better,” Fungai said.
Sitwell’s Commitment in Action
Sitwell Technologies supplies a range of solutions including manual, powered, and sit-to-stand wheelchairs; seating & positioning systems; paediatric mobility and special needs strollers; and gait trainers and walking aids. Today’s training reflects that broader commitment: _they don’t just supply equipment — they match the right solution to the right person_, with a focus on improved comfort & posture, better pressure management, increased independence, and long-term support.
“Good seating is not a luxury — it’s the foundation for dignity, independence, and health,” was a recurring theme throughout the day. Participants left equipped with practical skills they can apply immediately to improve assessments, seating setups, and pressure care
Sitwell Technologies continues to play a key role in advancing rehabilitation practice in Zimbabwe through targeted training that puts the client at the center of care.
About the Author
Bigboy Madzivanzira is trained in Wheelchair Technology at Mobility India and completed Advanced Wheelchair Assessment (WHO) at the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre. He is an Accredited Member of the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals, a Supportive Seating Specialist, and a peer reviewer of the WHO Wheelchair Training Manual.
He is a registered Medical Rehabilitation Practitioner with the Medical Rehabilitation Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe, a registered Health Promotion Practitioner with the Allied Health Professions Council of Zimbabwe, and an accredited Freelance Journalist with the Zimbabwe Media Commission. Bigboy is also the Founder and Director of Health Promotion Clinic Trust, a registered Wheelchair Service provider in Zimbabwe.
Contact: 0773 367 913 | healthpromotionclinic@gmail.com