Living with a chronic condition or disability can be isolating, but you don’t need to cope alone. Lambeth Community Health runs several courses to help you look after your health better. Read on to find out about the support that is available in Lambeth.
The Expert Patients Programme
The Expert Patients Programme (EPP) is for anyone in Lambeth who is living with a long-term health condition. The six-week course teaches you to manage your condition better.
Over the two-and-a-half-hour sessions trained tutors teach you a range of skills including:
- learning to cope with pain, tiredness and depression,
- relaxation and exercise,
- healthy eating,
- communicating with family, friends and health professionals, and
- planning for the future.
Looking after me
‘Looking after Me’ is a six-week course that recognises the demands placed on anyone who cares for someone with a long-term health condition. Anyone in Lambeth who helps a relative or friend who is ill, disabled, elderly or in need of emotional support can do the course.
As the name suggests, the course shows carers how to care for themselves. It covers:
- healthy eating,
- relaxation techniques,
- coping with stress, anxiety and depression,
- dealing with tiredness,
- communicating with family, friends and professionals, and
- planning for the future.
'If it wasn't for the support of the group I might not be walking around today'
Freddi, 53, who arrived in Britain from Iran 30 years ago, has been dealing with episodes of depression and self-harm ever since he was 14. After becoming homeless six years ago he was referred to the EPP by his GP.
“I was in a mess. I was homeless, living in B&Bs, spending my time going to appointments with my GP and at Springfield Hospital. It was then that I saw a leaflet at my doctor’s surgery for the EPP.
“I first went along about five years ago. By going to the course I gradually became more realistic about my condition. I used to plan four or five years ahead. Now I'm lucky if I know what I'm doing tomorrow, but that is healthier for me.
“The ACCEPT support group, which runs once a month for everyone who has done the EPP course, has really helped. I have met people and have activities to do that help me to get out of bed in the morning. If it weren’t for my pet cats and parrot and the support of the group I don’t think I would still be walking around today.
“Going to the sessions allowed me to get back into the community. I have given a talk on mental illness to the support group and in our next meeting I have been put in charge of helping to prepare Christmas cards. Having this sort of activity to do helps to take my mind off my depression and mental illness. It’s been great”
'There isn't a question about healthcare that someone there can't answer'
Phillipa, 60, from Clapham is a trained nurse and midwife. She thought she knew how the health system works, but she found she still learnt a lot from the EPP course and support group.
“Eleven years ago I was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease called Churg Strauss syndrome (CSS), but just after my diagnosis I moved abroad. When I returned six years later I saw a leaflet for the EPP in my GP’s surgery. I thought it would give me some more ideas about how to manage my condition.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure what it could teach me, because I used to work in the health service. But I have gained a lot from the group. Although my condition isn’t usually debilitating, when it flares up I can feel very isolated. Meeting other people with long-term conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and ME, helped me realise that I'm not alone and there are other people who need support too.
“During the six sessions I learned a lot about taking care of myself. As a result I became more active, thinking more about how I used my car. I also realised that I could take action instead of simply accepting my condition.
“One episode proved to be a turning point for me. When I was first diagnosed I ended up in intensive care and I have little memory of that period. During the group I was told that I could go back and look at my medical notes from that time. I was amazed because when I worked in the health service no one, apart from doctors, could see your notes.
“I went to the hospital where I had been treated, which was a very emotional experience, and read through my notes. Learning what had happened to me all those years ago helped me to recover from it. I never would have gone if it hadn’t been for the encouragement of the group.
“It’s a really supportive forum and a great way to share resources. There isn't a question about health or medicines that someone there can’t answer.”
