On February 14th Sarum Physio is celebrating twenty-five years, years that have without a doubt been filled with laughter. Doors I opened with Juliet Rogers who sadly passed away last year and today I would like to share with you our journey.
We both moved to the Salisbury area at the same time. Loved a game of squash and as it turned out were both physios. It was a match and around a kitchen table, the Sarum Physio Centre ride began.
In the beginning, we didn’t know each other that well but I have absolutely no regrets for that instinctive leap of faith we took together.
Juliet was really keen to set up a physio service for the elderly. She was a whizz at teaching mobility and enabling the less able patient to move and maintain their independence. She absolutely loved this area of physio, alongside neurology.
With my background in army and sports medicine, we were polar opposites, a combination that turned out to be perfect.
I shall always remember her saying …”you look after the glory sports guys with their Filofaxes and training programmes. I love looking after the little old lady who is struggling with the basics”.
Throughout the partnership, Juliet showed unbelievable generosity. We had such different interests professionally; my army background was a mystery to Juliet but she embraced my love of working with the wounded.
From the outset, it was important to us both that Sarum was a lifestyle and holistic business. This core belief remains today twenty-five years on and in all we do, with every member of the team working with their clients to keep them doing what they love, for as long as they want. We treat our patients as individuals. Creating personalised treatments plans, with the team working together to provide the right treatment for every person who walks through the door.
One of our first patients said, ”have days out away from the business to talk through your individual expectations”. And Juliet knew just the place …. Stourhead where we went two to three times a year to talk about life, the universe and business.
With Juliet’s love of the garden, we always had our business meetings based around a garden, National Trust venue or their teashop. This suited me well as I have a love for ‘green exercise’ being outside in the fresh air (come rain or shine) and partial to a cream tea!
I may have lost a partner, friend and mentor but the legacy we created together will go on. At Sarum, we shall continue to put our patients first supporting them to achieve their sporting goals or their simple wish to spend active time with the grandchildren.
Whatever the reason you seek help from us, you will receive the same level of care as the next person. Treated as the individual that you are and we hope that you become a Sarum friend as so many of our patients have.
During the twenty-five years Juliet and I continued to visit Stourhead through the years and the black book recorded the decisions. But entries always started with an important mention like …” wet and muddy …visited King Alfred’s Tower…”….or “snowdrops coming”. My favourite entry was…
”April Fools. Still meeting at Stourhead, 20 years on ..older wiser, lovely sunny day.”
Juliet Rogers (1957 – 2018) sadly missed but never forgotten.
