NEW SELF-HELP COURSES LAUNCHED FOR 2010

Dates for a free self-management course aimed at helping people with long-term health conditions and their carers have been launched for the new year.

The Expert Patient Programme helps people improve their quality of life by giving them different skills to better manage their condition on a daily basis.

The six-week course helps people to manage their symptoms, deal with stress, depression and low self-image, manage pain, develop coping skills and build confidence, relax and eat healthily, work more closely with people caring for them and plan for the future.

Groups of eight to 16 participants meet for two and a half hours each week, each session looking at ways to help them manage the effects of their condition and take better control of their lives.

Open to those with a physical or mental health chronic condition and their carers, the courses have already benefited people with conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, depression and asthma.

The Caerphilly course starts on Monday 4 January at Courthouse Medical Centre while the Newbridge course takes place in Llanarth House from Friday 8 January. Both courses last for six weeks and take place in the morning.

The courses, which are free of charge and open to people over the age of 18, give people the opportunity to meet others who are facing similar challenges. A course specifically aimed at carers of people with a long-term health condition will start on Thursday 15 April in Llanarth House in Newbridge.

Julia Mirfin, co-ordinator of the course for Aneurin Bevan Health Board, said: “It is estimated that there are up to 50,000 people in the Caerphilly Borough living with a long-term health condition. This is a free programme, run by people who themselves are living with chronic conditions, and gives an opportunity for people to meet others who are facing similar challenges. It helps you learn new skills so you can feel better, become more confident and plan for the future.”

For more information and to book a place on the courses, please contact Julia Mirfin at Aneurin Bevan Health Board on 01495 241261 or email julia.mirfin@caerphillylhb.wales.nhs.uk