Expert Patients Programme

A Self-help course for people living with a long-term health condition. The course is also beneficial for careers who care for someone with a long term health condition.

The focus of the programme is to support individuals to increase their confidence and to improve the quality of daily life.  The courses are free and run for 2.5 hrs a week over six consecutive weeks.  Courses are held at local community venues to make them accessible as possible to people with limited transport.  They are run by tutors who themselves live with long term health conditions and understand the frustrations, fears and anxieties that ill health can bring.

The focus of the programme is to support individuals to increase their confidence and to improve the quality of daily life.  The courses are free and run for 2.5 hrs a week over six consecutive weeks.  Courses are held at local community venues to make them accessible as possible to people with limited transport.  They are run by tutors who themselves live with long term health conditions and understand the frustrations, fears and anxieties that ill health can bring.

The course helps promote self-management by exploring healthy eating, exercise, learning to problem solve day-to-day problems.

Participants will be taught ways to manage pain and fatigue, better breathing and relaxation, managing medication usage and its side effects.

Individuals will be empowered by considering communicating effectively with family and friends, doctors and health professionals.

“The course has given me confidence to be my old self again, as I became ill I felt my condition controlled, me now I have been encouraged to take control of my condition.”

“ I was feeling very depressed but the course helped me to find ways to think more positively”

Interested volunteers who have completed the programme can take further opportunity by training as tutors to deliver future courses.  Volunteers are the programme’s most valuable resource as they further the development of the programme throughout Blaenau Gwent.

If you, or someone you know, would benefit by completing a course or becoming a volunteer tutor please contact:
Sue Arnold
The Expert Patients Programme Co-ordinator for Blaenau Gwent At GAVO The Education Centre
Festival Park
Victoria
Ebbw Vale
Blaenau Gwent
NP23 8FP
Tel: 01495 306602

E-mail sue.arnold@gavowales.org.uk