Falls are a major cause of injury and lost independence for older people, and building strength and balance is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk. As falls prevention comes into focus this week, we are profiling Wobble, one of the innovators Imperial College Health Partners (ICHP) is supporting to bring preventative, digital approaches into NHS services across North West London and beyond.
Meet the founders
Niamh is a Highly Specialist Physiotherapist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. She is the Co-founder and Clinical Director of Wobble, which she has developed outside of her NHS role. She is also a member of the current cohort of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme.
Ruaridh is a Co-founder of Wobble, responsible for platform development, implementation models, evaluation approach, and partner engagement. He was formerly Head of Engineering for Amazon’s Emerging Countries division, bringing this background in large-scale system delivery into health innovation.
Together, they combine clinical expertise and operational experience to build a scalable, preventative healthcare solution.
What is Wobble?
Wobble is a digital strength and balance platform focused on long-term adherence to strength and balance training, helping people protect their mobility as they age and reduce their risk of falls. It has been designed to fit into NHS services and pathways, in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s shift from treatment to prevention.
Key features include:
- Assessment-led onboarding using validated outcome measures
- Follow-along video sessions targeting strength, balance, and confidence
- Built for long-term adherence through behaviour change features, progress tracking, structured routines, community features, and in-session education
The impact so far
Wobble reports that it has been piloted with over 1,000 users across multiple pilots spanning NHS and private pathways. Its pilot data shows users consistently meeting and exceeding the recommended minimum of two strength and balance sessions per week, in line with the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines.
How Wobble works with partners
Wobble works on a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) model. Partner organisations get access to a live dashboard, giving real-time visibility of adherence levels, changes in outcome measure scores, and other key engagement metrics. Wobble works with a range of partners across public and private service types.
Who is Wobble for?
Wobble is designed for adults who would benefit from building and maintaining strength and balance, particularly as they get older. The World Health Organization recommends that all older adults undertake strength and balance activities at least twice per week, yet adherence remains low. Wobble supports this need across:
- Preventative pathways, including primary care, community health hubs, and social prescribing
- Falls and frailty services
- Neurology and musculoskeletal (MSK) pathways
- Physiotherapy waitlist management and discharge support
Why does Wobble matter?
Falls, inactivity, and population ageing are key drivers of NHS demand. Wobble supports preventative engagement in strength and balance to maintain independence and reduce avoidable deterioration. It aligns with national priorities, including:
- The 10-Year Health Plan’s shifts from sickness to prevention and from analogue to digital
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on falls prevention and physical activity
How is Imperial College Health Partners supporting Wobble?
ICHP is supporting Wobble through its Innovation Exchange offer, including access to the fsub Regulatory Navigator app – an innovator that ICHP has partnered with – to help the team understand relevant regulatory requirements and standards for NHS adoption.
ICHP has also introduced Wobble to a London region system lead to support a clearer understanding of system priorities, potential pathway fit, and the practical considerations for adoption. Alongside this, ICHP has connected the team with another clinical innovator for peer support, helping them share learning on developing, testing, and positioning a clinically led digital health innovation. This support is also helping Wobble strengthen its approach to outcome and impact measurement, including how it demonstrates value to NHS partners.
Niamh Buttle and Ruaridh Aitken, Co-founders of the Wobble Strength and Balance App
Building long-term adherence to strength and balance training through behaviour change
