Please note* During winter months - December, January and February this group does not meet. The first meeting of the calendar year is the first Saturday in March. 16th June 2012 - Marilyn Crump
from BLF South west office speaking to the group giving an update on whats happening at The British Lung Foundation etc
Group Information update
BLF Breathe Easy Braunton and District held their annual coffee morning on Saturday 3rd December. Mrs Phillips, whose daughter Sara is the HCP who supports the group, opened the doors of the family farm house and everyone was treated to refreshments (including lovely mince pies!). Mrs Phillips is a genius with needle and her handiwork sold within minutes of the door opening! The table top sale, raffle and refreshments raised a total of £353.73 – a fantastic sum, and many thanks to all those who helped on the day and who came along to support the event. Several members of the group came along to run the raffle and help out; a huge thanks to them too. Marilyn, BLF Development Officer, was there to say thank you (having negotiated the country lanes!) which was a great opportunity to meet some of the people who support the group.
- Prospective group speakers for the coming months are currently being approached, including community practice nurses, Clinical Psychologist.
- The carers and patients workshop (part 2) is to be held on 1st October.
About Breathe Easy Braunton
On 6th June 2009 the official launch of this Breathe Easy Club took place.
This group was started with patients and their carers living in North Devon, to offer support, advice, information and a chance to meet and discuss their situations with others. It is open to all those who fight for breath as a result of conditions such as C.O.P.D. (Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis), Bronchiectasis, Fibrosing Alveolitis and Asthma, to name but a few.
Breathe Easy Braunton and District is just one of around 200 groups across the country, which are all part of the British Lung Foundation’s support network “Breathe Easy”. The British Lung Foundation is the only U.K. charity working on behalf of all those with lung disease.
The launch of the group was attended by, Mr. Nick Harvey our local M.P.as well as representatives from the British Lung Foundation, South Western Region based in Bristol.
Our group was formed because of feedback from patients about carrying on exercise and education following the pulmonary rehabilitation provided by C.R.E.A.D.O.We bring people out of social isolation to have fun, gentle exercise, problem solving and education. We have helped advise with Travel, airport arrangements, oxygen during flights and insurance. We have had speakers on inhalers, medication and possible side effects, dealing with anxiety and breathlessness, oxygen in the home and car, pensions and benefits and many more.
Both our medical advisor and our physiotherapist can offer advice either as part of a group discussion or individually with members that need help and support, and our local M.P. Nick Harvey has pledged his support to the club and individuals if needed.
Our members have ranging differences in their breathing problems from the occasional to the very severe in end of life members, and we are happily beginning to attract members in the Hospice system. The support we offer is genuine and sincere both at the club and over the phone when we know someone is having difficulties or problems. Carers can, at times, be frightened, uncertain and feel helpless and we are helping to improve these issues with full and open discussion.
Sometimes it almost feels that the club has elements of a social group when recipes for many different types of cake are passed between members, the end result being a plentiful and varied cake supply for us to enjoy each week with our tea.
From the moment a prospective new member joins the group they will be made to feel most welcome and an existing member will ensure they know who’s who and what’s happening and to settle them in. It’s lovely, when after two or three weeks, a new member is chatting to everyone as though they have been there since day one.
We are always looking for more new members, most people know someone with a breathing problem and we encourage them to come along. We aim to provide our members with the information and knowledge to manage their disease or condition with confidence. Anyone coming to the club will be made very welcome.
Everyone affected by a lung condition - sufferers, carers and families are invited to attend to find out more about how this group can help them.
For more information, please contact the BLF regional office 0117 300 4080 or health care professional Sara 01271 812153.
