My name is Gavin Wright. I have been involved in moving and handling since 1993 and formed a training company (Initially named TLC, laterly known as TLC Worldwide) in January 1997 along side my father (Bill) and sister (Dorothy) to meet the requirements of the UKs moving and handling regulations.

In 1997, we became the first company to offer an accredited course for instructors in moving and handling using the Royal College of Nursing™’s continuing education points system. Then in 2000, moving on from the college and after a short spell with the Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD), TLC also became the first to offer a certificate level course in moving and handling people instruction, which was aimed specifically at the medical professions through OCR (Oxford & Cambridge assessment boards). Further recognition of our expertise in this field came when OCR granted us to be the first to offer a level 4 diploma in this subject matter.

In 2008, I was also given the privilege of being one of only two private training organisations to be listed alongside the likes of Kings College London as offering "Best Practice", in the NHS 60th anniversary publication, published by St. James’ House.

After an injury affected Dorothy's ability to work for a while and Bill retired at the same time, TLC was disbanded and so I diverted my attention into going alone.

Since 2008 I developed a number of different avenues of work. I adopted the slogan “Uniting the world of safe patient handling” and through the somewhat irregular issues of the Moving & Handling Instructors Newsletter drew attention to what is happening in the wider world regarding the moving and handling of people.

I have also help develop e-learning in safe patient handling to compliment classroom based practical training for universities, hospitals, nursing homes and private training companies. Patient assessments, accident investigation, freelance training, and mystery shopping also form the services that I offer.

In 2001, I visited South Africa for an extended 13 month stay while I wrote a book about the handling of gunshot patients. In 2005 I became acquainted with Mr Victor Makgwana, a South African healthcare professional living and working in London. Victor introduced me to some key people in the South African Ministry of Health and so in December 2009 I accepted the role of National Moving & Handling Coordinator for the South African Moving & Handling Project. This project was put on hold in 2010 after the death of the Minister, Dr. Molefi Sefularo. However, recently, 2022, the project has been revived in his memory.

On three seperate occaisions, I have been invited to deliver sessions at the National Back Exchange Conference (The organisation who write the standards in patient handling). I have also heldd speaking sessions at Naidex National and Naidex (Scotland) conferences on the subjects of bariatric management and developing training programmes.

I am also a former holder of the Professional Development Officer post for the National Back Exchange.

Nordic Care Services used me to write and organise a series of conferences on Bariatric management, aimed at bringing the cost of quality networking down to an affordable price.

I have also organised and delivered training overseas for UK delegates to visit moving and handling manufacturers during their personal CPD.

I hold a

• Moving and Handling Instructors Diploma (OCR)
• RoSPA Level 4 Award in Manual Handling Train the Trainer and Risk Assessment in People Handling,
• an Emergency Medical Technician qualification,
• PTTLLS & D32/D33 teaching and assessors certificates
• and as one who has worked in emergency care in both the UK and South Africa, a wealth of experience in moving people about.

I am also a mental health first aid instructor and I hold a heavy goods vehicle licence.