The BLF provides self help support groups (Breathe Easy groups) for people living with a lung condition, their family and carers. There are approximately 70 of these groups in the region all in different stages of age and activity. The region has some of the oldest groups in the UK. Groups in Middlesex, Reading, Banbury, Croydon, Essex and Buckinghamshire have been supporting people affected by lung disease for ten or more years.
The Breathe Easy groups in the London and South region are listed below in the following categories:
Examples of our Breathe Easy groups include -
Breathe Easy Canterbury and District (South East)
The Canterbury and district group was established in 2004 and was officially launched in 2005 with an unforgettable balloon launch which nearly carried three of its members away over the north sea! Since then the group has gone from strength to strength, receiving an award for Outstanding New Group in the Breath of Fresh Air Awards. The group’s newsletter came second in these awards last year, and its chair won a BOFA for her excellent work with the group.
The group has raised hundreds of pounds by organising an annual sponsored walk and quiz evening which not only go towards valuable BLF research but also towards purchasing equipment for pulmonary rehabilitation and portable nebulisers for holiday loans.
The group has held stands in local towns and hospitals during Breathe Easy week and on World COPD day last year group members held a balloon workshop in a local schoolto teach about lung health.
Last year was very special for the group as one intrepid group member, a photographic artist, cycled aroundthe coastfrom Whitstable to Hastings, meeting different groups and individuals along the way. She involved the group through visual presentations in this project, whose aim was to use art to raise the profile of lung disease.
Breathe Easy Croydon (London) 
Breathe Easy Croydon was founded 10 years ago! They celebrated in style on the 4th September 2008, with an auction and plenty of cake and champagne. Over the past 10 years, they have built up a solid following and now have a wonderful newsletter which you can subscribe to. For more information please contact Pat Andrews on 020 8654 6940 or email her on paandroid@aol.com
Breathe Easy North Norfolk (East of England)
Breathe Easy North Norfolk launched with a bang on the 20th August with lots of patients, the Norwich respiratory team and representatives from lots of local organisations coming along to celebrate. Both the President Dr Daryl Freedman and Norman Lamb MP, health spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, gave great speeches and promised to support and promote the group wherever possible. We wish you every success BE North Norfolk!
London Barking & Dagenham
Meets on the last Thursday of the month, from 1pm – 3pm, at Seebrook Community Centre, Room 2, Wood Lane (Fiddlers Junction), Dagenham.
http://www.breatheeasybarkingdagenham.com/
Barnet
Meets on the first Thursday of the month from 12.30pm - 2pm at the Large Gym, Therapies Unit, Edgeware Community Hospital, Burnt Oak Broadway, HA8 0AD.
Bexley
Meets on the last Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at St Lawrence’s Community Centre, 1 Hamilton Road, Sidcup DA15 7HB.
Bromley
Meets on the third Tuesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Victor Childs Room, St Paul’s Church, Crofton Lane, Bromley.
Croydon
Meets on the first Thursday of the month, from 12.30pm-2.30pm, at St Matthew’s Church Hall, Chichester Road, Park Hill, East Croydon CR0 5NQ
www.becroydon.ik.com.
Enfield
Meets on varied Wednesdays of the month, from 1.30pm–3.00pm, at Magnolia Day Room, St Michael’s Site, Gater Drive, Enfield EN2 0JB.
Greenwich
Meets on the last Friday of the month, from 11am-1pm, at Wentworth House, 35 Charlton Rd, Charlton, SE3 7HH.
Hammersmith & Fulham
Meets on the second Thursday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at the Seminar Room, 5th floor, East Wing, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Rd, Hammersmith W6 8RF.
Havering
Meets on the last Monday of the month, from 1.30pm-3.30pm, at St Andrew’s Church Hall, 222 High St., Hornchurch RM12 6QP.
Hounslow
The first meeting is to be held on the 30th of September 2008, from 11.30am - 1pm in the Rainbow Romm, 4th Floor, Heart of Hounslow Health Centre, 92 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EL.
Islington & Haringey
Meets on the third Tuesday of the month, from 1pm-3pm, at New Orleans Community Centre, Cromartie Rd. off Hornsey Rise, N19 3UE.
Islington
Meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 1pm-3pm, at Bingfield Health Centre, Bingfield Street, Islington N1 0AL.
Kensington & Chelsea
Meets every 2nd Tuesday of the Month at 2.15pm at The Canteen (through the main entrance and down the lift in the Sidney wing), The Royal Brompton Hospital, SW3 6NP. Closest tube South Kensington.
www.rbht.nhs.uk/breathe-easy Kingston
Meets on the first Tuesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at King Charles Centre, King Charles Road, Surbiton KT5 9AL.
Merton & Sutton
Meets on the third Thursday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at St Bedes Conference Centre, London Rd., North Cheam SM3 9DW.
Middlesex
Meets on the last Wednesday of the month, from 7pm-9pm, at Post Graduate Centre, Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Heath Rd, Middlesex UB8 3NN.
Newham
Meets on the first Thursday of the month, from 12.30pm-2.30pm, at Training Room 2, Beckton Community Centre, East Ham Manor Way, Beckton E6 5NG.
Southwark
Meets on the first Tuesday of the month, from 2.30pm-3.30pm, at Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich SE22 8NB.
Tower Hamlets
We meet on the first Wednesday of every month 1:30 - 3:30pm at the Exmouth Centre, Swan Housing, 39 Cornwood Drive, London E1 0PW
www.breatheeasyth.org.uk
Or email on: info@breatheeasyth.org.uk
Twickenham
Meets on the last Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Whitton Community Centre, Percy Rd., Whitton.
Wandsworth
Meets on varied Wednesday s,generally second Wednesday of the month, from 11am-1pm, at Colliers Wood Community Centre, 67-72 High Street, Colliers Wood, SW19 2BY.
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Aylesbury Vale
Meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 2.30pm-4pm, at The Ark Community Centre, 28 Risborough Road, Stoke Mandeville.
Banbury
Meets on the first Monday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at TA Centre, Oxford Road, Banbury.
Bedford
Meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at The Priory Methodist Church Hall, Newnham Avenue, Bedford.
Braintree & District
Meets on the third Thursday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Braintree Baptist Church.
Buckinghamshire
Meets on the second Monday of the month, from 2.30pm-4.30pm, at The Rossetti Hall, 38 New Ponds Road, Holmer Green.
www.bebucks.co.uk
Cambridge
Meets on the second Monday of the month, from 2.30pm-4.30pm, at the Salvation Army Hall, 7 Station Road, Waterhead, Cambridge CB5 9HT.
Chelmsford & District
Meets on the third Thursday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Keene Hall, Watehouse Rd. Galleywood, Essex.
Clacton
Meets on the second Tuesday of the month, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, at Brotherhood Hall, St Osyth Rd, Clacton.
Colchester
Meets every six weeks, from 10.30am-12.30pm, at the St. John’s and Highwood Community Centre, Highwoods Square.
www.essexinfo.net/breathe-easy-colchester/
Dacorum
Meets on the second Monday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Hanover Green, St John’s Rd, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead.
Essex
Meets on the third Thursday of the month, from 1.30pm-3.30pm, in the Village Hall, Noak Bridge, near Basildon.
www.breatheeasyessex.co.uk/
Harlow & Epping
Meets on the first Monday of the month, from 1pm-3pm, at Jack Silley Pavillion, Tiddy’s Lane, Epping.
Hertford
Meets on the last Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Bircherley Court, Railway Street, Hertford.
www.behertford.org
Ipswich
Meets on the second Tuesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at the St Clements Hospital Social Club, Foxhill Road, Ipswich.
Luton & District
Meets on the second Thursday of the month, from 1pm-3pm, at the Peter Newton Pavillion, Skimpot Road, Dunstable.
www.breatheeasy-luton.ik.com
Milton Keynes
Meets on the third Wednesday of the month, from 2.30pm-4.30pm, at the Woolston Parish Council Offices, Netherfield, Woolston (except in July and August).
North Herts
Meets on the last Monday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at the Great Ashby Community Centre, Whitehorse Lane, Stevenage (except in December and August).
North Norfolk
Meets on the third Wednesday of the month, from 1.30pm-3.30pm, at Bodham Village Hall, The Street, Bodham, Nth Norfolk NR25 6NR.
Norwich
Meets on the first Tuesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at the St. Faith’s Centre, Horsham St. Faith’s, Norwich.
www.zyworld.com/Ben29/home.htm
Safron Walden
Meets on the second Friday of the month, from 2pm to 4pm, at the Saffron Waldon Community Hospital (ask at reception).
Southend
Meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 1.30pm-3.30pm, at St Helen’s Parish Church Hall, (corner of Milton Road), Southend.
Watford
Meets on the second Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Heathdene Manor, Grandfield Avenue, Watford.
Welwyn & Hatfield
Meets on the first Monday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Jimmy McDonald Centre, Hatfield.
West Hertfordshire
Meets on the second Wednesday of the month, from 2pm - 4pm, at Allum Community Centre, Allum Lane, Elstree.
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Brighton
Meets on the second Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at St Nicholas and St Andrews Church Hall, Old Village, Portslade.
www.breatheeasybrightonandhove.co.uk
Canterbury
Meets on the second Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at the Parish Social Club, 15a Castle Road, Whitstable.
http://breatheasycanterbury.blogspot.com/
Chichester
Meets on the second Tuesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Swanfield Community Centre, 46 Swanfield Drive, Chichester PO19 6GH.
Epsom
Meets on the last Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at The Wells Social Centre, Spa Drive, Epsom, KT18 7LR.
Fleet
Meets on the last Friday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Velmead Community Centre, Danvers Drive, Zebon Copse, Church Crookham, Hants.
Guildford
Meets on the last Thursday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at St Clare’s Church Hall, Cabell Road, Park Barn, Guildford, GU2 6JW.
Haven
Meets on the first Tuesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Meridian Centre, Meridian Way, Field & Robson Rooms, Peacehaven, East Sussex, BN10 8BB.
Horsham & Crawley
Meets on the third Tuesday of the month, from 12.45pm-2.45pm, at the Salvation Army Hall, Booth Way, Horsham
Isle of Wight
Meets on the second Friday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at St Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, Newport.
Medway
Meets on the first Tuesday of the month, from 1pm-3pm, at the Star Social Club, Darland Avenue, Gillingham.
Mid Sussex
Meets on the last Tuesday of the month, from 11am-12.30pm, at 1st Hurstpierpoint Scout HQ, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex.
New Forest
Meets on the last Thursday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at The Leonard Cheshire Resource Centre, 16 Old Milton Road, New Milton. (Please note that the venue for the New Forest Group may be changing in the near future, so please phone the London and South office on 020 7688 5555 before coming.)
Portsmouth & District
Meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm, at Cosham Community Centre, Cosham.
Reading
Meets on the second Monday of the month, from 2pm to 4pm, at the YMCA, Parkside Road, Reading.
Romsey
Meets on the last Wednesday of the month, from 2pm-4pm. September to May the group meet at Woodley Village Hall, School Road, Romsey, SO51 7NY. From June to August the group meet at various venues. Please contact the regional office for further details.
Southampton
Meets on the third Wednesday of the month, from 2pm - 4pm, at St Mark's Church, Archers Road, Southampton, SO15 2LU.
Spelthorne
Meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 2pm - 4pm, at St Matthew’s Church Hall, Church Road, Ashford.
Thanet
Meets on the first Thursday of the month, from 2pm - 4pm, at The Racing Greyhound, 227 Hereson Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 7EX.
Tunbridge Wells
Meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 2.30pm - 4.30pm, at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9TX. Website below:
http://beehive.courier.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=12663&PageID=76884
Windsor
Meets on the second Monday of the month, from 1.30pm - 3.00pm, at the Chest Clinic, King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor.
Woking
Meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month, from 11.00am - 12.30pm, at Moorcroft Day Centre, Old School Place, Westfield, Woking
Worthing
Meets on the second Friday of each month, from 2.30pm, at Lewes Room, Field Place, off the Boulevard near Strand Parade Shopping Centre.
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