Information and Support Coronavirus Coronavirus We are still here for you Understanding how to manage your long-term condition and overall health is more important in these times than ever before. The health and safety of our staff and the people we support is very important to us. In light of the guidance from the NHS and Government regarding physical distancing, we took the step in April 2020 to postpone all face-to-face courses. We have worked hard to develop new and effective ways to support you and are now able to offer some face-to-face courses in some areas as well as virtual video-style group sessions. I’m thankful for technology and for this group. That we can be together and see and help each other For those people with a singular or multiple health condition, we have a video-style group course which has been peer-developed and runs for 1.5 hours, once a week for 7 weeks. Evening and weekend courses are planned too to make sure we are able to offer support to as many people as possible. 1 in 4 people experience mental health concerns and we have a course that looks at some of the ways better mental health can be achieved. Our mental wellbeing video-style course runs for 2 hours, once a week for 7 weeks. Get in touch for more information or see our course information leaflets. Mental wellbeing zoom course information leaflet Any condition zoom course information leaflet Zoom Instructions - A quick guide The impact of COVID-19 The impact of COVID-19 has been profound on individuals, communities and the health and care system. Of significant concern is the impact COVID-19 has had on those with one or more chronic conditions. Not only is the risk of complications arising from COVID-19 higher to such people but the UK’s response to COVID-19 has resulted in a significant and severe lack of support for those who need it most. The Health Foundation recently reported on the Understanding Society survey which estimates that during the UK’s initial/early stage COVID-19 response, 63% of people with a long-term condition had a planned treatment cancelled. What has been clear so far during the COVID-19 pandemic is that those populations in areas of deprivation, at greater risk of developing multiple long-term conditions, have been hit the hardest by COVID-19. The support of individuals and communities to better manage their long-term health conditions is needed now more than ever, given the prevalence of multiple chronic long-term conditions and the greater disparity in health status and risk between those experience economic challenge and the wealthiest, the increasing prevalence of co-existing mental health challenges and focus of health and care services on responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Contact us to find out more about commissioning our services.