The work of an electrician may be worlds away from feet, but one man has turned his life upside down by retraining in this very area.
Malcolm Ormrod, 52, a trained foot health practitioner, has already built up a small client base by working from home after leaving his 30-year career behind.
Now, having teamed up with his partner, Jo Mountjoy-Dixon, who is trained in complementary therapies, the couple have opened a foot health clinic and health practice, officially due to launch today (Thursday, March 1).
M&J Feet and Health Practice, on Earls’ Street, Thetford, will offer a range of foot care and therapies and be opened by the deputy mayor, Pauline Quadling.
Just a few years ago however, Mr Ormrod was an established electrician, with no experience of foot care.
A bad back forced him to re-think his life as an electrician and just two years ago, he graduated from Stonebridge Associated College Foot Health Centre in Cornwall.
Despite taking a year tafter this to recover from a collapsed disc in his back, which required an operation, he is now looking forward to the launch of the new clinic.
“It’s about helping people, but it’s something I enjoy doing as well,” he said. “As an electrician I spent a lot of time curled up in a ball or stretched out up a ladder which wasn’t good for my back.
“Things have changed completely - I was digging holes and dealing with masonry but now I like to have clean fingers and shaped nails. I like to go to work clean.”
Miss Mountjoy-Dixon, 46, who recently completed an Open University degree in psychology and previously owned a complimentary health salon in the town, said: “We’re hugely excited and terrified about this. “I think it will make a difference. Because of my experience in running clinics in the past, I know Thetford especially has always been a little different from most towns to initiate into health practices but I think the demand is there.”
The launch will take place at 11am and include demonstrations of some therapies on offer, as well as a raffle for people to win prized relating to these.
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