The Society of Shoe Fitters 

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A ‘not-for-profit’ organisation since 1959
 
offering support and assistance to the public and industry


Mrs. Laura West,
Secretary,
c/o The Anchorage,
28 Admirals Walk,
HINGHAM,
Norfolk.
NR9 4JL

Tel. : +44 (0)1953 851171
Fax : ring and ask

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.shoefitters-uk.org

Click on the following for more information

We are pleased to receive donations however small to keep our help-line and services open. We receive no government or outside funding, but assist our trade and public on a daily basis – saving the NHS thousands of pounds annually.  If you can help, please let us know – thank you.

 

ABOUT THE SOCIETY

Who Are We And What Do We Do?

Register of Members 2009/2010

Associate Members – 
Brands who wish to work with us to promote good foot health

Course Information 
Deluxe course and instore courses available all year.

The Entrance Examination – (View Examination without obligation, or download to complete)
(
For already experienced shoe fitters only)

History of the Society

Some Useful Contacts

Career/Jobs


FOOT HEALTH INFORMATION

A Guide to Shoe Buying and Foot Care

A Guide to the Developing Child

A Caution about Trainers and Plimsoll’s

A Guide to Fit Active Feet in Maturity

Frequently Asked Questions – F.A.Q.’s!


Retailer’s please note:
We can offer a full qualification or simply a one day training session developed for your needs.  

For those already highly experienced in the art of shoe fitting, there is also a fast-track exam to membership which can be viewed without obligation from this website.

 

For information contact:
Tel. +44 (0)1953-851171
Email:
[email protected]

MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:  

50th AGM – March 24th in London.  Please contact the office to book a place or register apologies for absence.

 

Parents please note:  

Back to school means wearing properly constructed footwear.  If your child has been in flip flops, sandals, trainers etc. their feet will have become a little flaccid.  Going back to constructed footwear may rub in places (usually around the heel).  There is nothing wrong with the shoes or fit, simply the nature of the beast.  We recommend your child wears their new shoes indoors with socks on, in short bursts, until they have to be worn at school all day.

Ill fitting shoes do not just affect your feet but your entire physiology.  If you are in pain or uncomfortable, you shift your body weight and change your gait (way that you walk).  This puts pressures on other areas of the body and may create aches and pains elsewhere in the body.  Young children will often overlook discomfort or be too young to tell you if their shoes and socks hurt – and it is in the formative years when damage can be done that will in effect, last a lifetime – not becoming obvious until later in life.

Qualified Shoe Fitters are sadly in a minority as there is no law that states that people selling shoes should know about feet or footwear – appalling!  It is only those people who respect the knowledge required to do the job properly that bother to qualify and retain their membership.  Shoe Fitters do not make a charge for their knowledge or service unlike other ‘professional’ people – so why take the risk of fitting yourself or shopping online?  

However, there is very little profit in selling shoes in comparison to clothing etc.  We ask you to respect that if you choose to buy shoes online or from a supermarket etc. you should not ‘use/abuse’ the fitting service offered by good independent shoe shops. What a ‘gauge’ says is actually irrelevant, it is merely a starting point to a qualified fitter.  All gauges are calibrated differently and it depends upon the style of shoe being fitted, brand, materials, construction method, even country of origin affect the fit.  A qualified fitter may spot a potential problem and refer you to a GP or chiropodist.  

Remember:  Damage can be done in a child’s formative years that may affect their complete physiology – which in turn may affect their health several ways in later life!  Even migraine can be attributed to ill-fitting shoes!

Children’s shoes should be fitted 
by trained professionals.  

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Last Updated: 01 April 2010 15:53