Breathe Easy Solihull is a support group for people affected by lung 
conditions including their friends, family and carers. Find out more about Breathe Easy.
Where?
West Midlands Bridge Club, Marion Murtagh House, 909 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3EP
View a map of the venue location.
Please contact the Midlands office before going to your first meeting by telephoning 0116 249 5780 or emailing midlands@blf-uk.org. They will give you the group's contact details so that you can check the meeting is on.
Meetings and activities in 2012
1 February - Dr. Salman Ghani, and Sandy Walmsley, Senior Respiratory Nurse
7 March - Becky Gowers, British Lung Foundation
4 April - Elaine Aldman, Pharmacist - Medication Used With Chest Conditions
2 May - Adrian Brown, Senior Specialist Dietician, Heartlands Hospital
6 June - Louisa Stonehewer - Benefits of Physiotherapy
4 July - Emma Nicklin, Air Products - Home Oxygen Provision
1 August - Our own Olympic Games!
5 September - Mr. Richard Steyn, Clinical Director of Respiratory Medicine, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
3 October - Helen Rigby, Respiratory Nurse - The Correct Use of Inhalers
7 November - Matthew Ward, Clinical Practice and Governance Manager, West Midlands Ambulance Service
5 December - Festive get-together, with Cakes, Carols and a Christmas Quiz
More about the group
BOFAA Winner
Congratulations to BE Solihull, who have received two 2010-11 Breath of Fresh Air Awards. The group were awarded the national BOFAA for Outstanding Newsletter, in recognition of the support that they offer through the 'Gaspers Gazette'. The group also received a Midlands BOFAA for Outstanding Group Achievement in Influencing. Ian Black, Chair of BE Solihull and Editor of the 'Gaspers Gazette' was presented with the awards by Jemery Bacon, Midlands Support and Development Managaer, at the Solihull network meeting.
Christmas Celebrations
Breathe Easy Solihull enjoyed a Christmas meal in December. The turnout was strong and everyone had a really good time. As 
pictured below, the meal was followed by some line dancing practice which was led by friends of members!
Awareness stands
The group held a display at ASDA in Chelmsley Wood and carried out Lung Age testing. As the photo shows, it was a very busy few hours and the display can hardly be seen for people!
Breathe Easy Solihull also had a stand
in the foyer of Solihull Library and Arts Complex. The group was fortunate enough to get the involvement of the Head of Solihull MBC Leisure Services, Nick Garnett, as well as Chief Superintendent Carl Foulkes and Police Community Support Officer Richardson.
86 lung age tests were taken over the two days and 14 people were referred to their GP for further investigation, which is a ratio of just over 1 in 6. Both events were very busy and rewarding and enabled the group to raise awareness of COPD, of the local facilities available, and of Breathe Easy.
