A focus on “Mind and Body” is the theme for this year’s National Self Care Week that is well underway in Walsall.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust staff and self care volunteers are hosting a stand at the Manor Hospital between 10.30am and 2.30pm today (Wednesday 20 November) near to Costa Coffee to highlight the range of courses available to support those living with a long term health condition.
Thousands of people have been able to access courses specifically designed to reduce the severity of symptoms and improve a patient’s knowledge of their condition. This empowers them to take some responsibility for its management and work in partnership with their health and social care providers to have greater control over their lives.
Jo Hannigan, Business Support Manager for the Self Care Management Programme, said: “We’re now in our 22nd year of providing our programme to patients who are living with a range of long-term conditions such as diabetes, chronic pain and long Covid.
“Self Care Week gives us an opportunity to showcase what we offer and raise awareness among our Walsall communities. On Monday this week we held an event at the Active Living Centre in Bloxwich, where we had 21 stands highlighting the information and support on offer.
“Today we look forward to talking to patients, visitors and staff at Walsall Manor Hospital and will be promoting our Caring for Me and You Programme which supports those who look after someone with a long-term health condition.
“We have recruited Volunteer Tutors to deliver our courses and regularly ask for feedback to shape our future provision.”
Jo has shared some feedback from a volunteer who has praised the ”wonderful” Self Care Team.
The volunteer said: “I began volunteering with the Self Care Management Team in 2017 following redundancy in 2016. My role as a Volunteer Tutor meant that I continued to keep active in the community by going out and delivering courses as well as keeping active mentally having to prepare and keep up to date with regular training for delivering courses.
“Volunteering over the past few years has meant that I have got back into the world of work. I have to thank the wonderful team at Self Care who have always encouraged and promoted the wellbeing of the team, we are more like a family, in the way we care about each other and I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to join. I would highly recommend to anyone who feels lost, alone, lacking focus and energy to get involved in a volunteer capacity. The rewards are immense.”