Most people would agree that physical activity is good for you; however, the majority of us don't do enough to improve our health and some of us don't do anything at all.

Available through your GP or Healthcare Professional, this programme aims to provide you with the support and advice you need to exercise safely and appropriately.  You will learn new skills such as how to listen to your body and exercise at a pace which is comfortable for your condition.

WHAT IS THE STAYING WELL EXPERT PATIENTS PROGRAMME? 

The Staying Well Expert Patients Programme (EPP) is a ‘chronic disease self-management course’ (CDSMC), a new government initiative to help people living with long term conditions maintain their health and improve their quality of life through a self management course led by someone else with a long term health condition.

Self management programmes have been running in the USA since the 1970s and came to this country in 1994. Over this time a substantial body of clinical research and experiential feedback has built up testifying to its efficiency.

The primary aim is not to impart medical information but to facilitate the development of self management skills, such as problem solving and goal setting.

The course has been designed to help people with a chronic or long-term illness regain as much control over their physical and emotional well-being as possible. It complements existing health care programmes and treatments, empowering participants to be more informed and better able to develop partnerships with their medical practitioners.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE STAYING WELL EXPERT PATIENTS PROGRAMME?

It is a generic, time-limited course, suitable for people who have any long-term health condition. For example: Arthritis, Heart Disease, Stroke, Depression, MS, Epilepsy, ME, Schizophrenia, Fibromyalagia, Diabetes, HIV, indeed any condition that impacts on a persons life.  The Tutors are themselves living with long-term conditions.

Tutors use a detailed, scripted manual, underpinned by ongoing research. There is a strong emphasis on participants setting practical and achievable action plans that are evaluated weekly.

The course is informal but structured allowing an equal amount of time for discussion and information. It is held in a community rather than health venue.

 What does the Course involve?

The course consists of one 2½ hour session once a week for six weeks, the maximum number of participants on each course is 16 plus two tutors who also live with a long-term condition.

The areas covered include:
Goal setting/action planning
Problem solving
Relaxation/exercise
Symptom management techniques
Fatigue management
Dealing with emotions
Communication
Medication
Living wills/power of attorney
Healthy Eating
Distraction
Guided imagery
The course is interative, informal and friendly.

Research shows that people who have attended the course:
Have greater confidence in dealing with their illness, experience less pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety. They are more likely to continue with exercise and relaxation techniques; make fewer visits to their GP and have better communication with health professionals.

Why does the course work so well?

Because individuals with different conditions share many of the same problems, no matter what illness individuals live with it is often the consequences of that illness that are more problematic than the condition itself. When you can’t do what you used to be able to and your family and friends don’t understand, anger, frustration, loss of job or mobility, depression and pain can so easily become a cycle of despair.

Feedback from participants countrywide has been excellent and although this is something very new for the NHS it is something people want.

Yes, the course is structured but there is time for short discussions to help us learn from each other and gain support and encouragement.

Courses are available throughout Bassetlaw please contact us for more details.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

Stay at home if you have either:

- a high temperature - you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

- a new, continuous cough. This means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. This means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do

Read the NHS advice about staying home including how long to isolate for.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

- You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

- Your condition gets worse

- Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

For further information on: High risk groups, How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus and Pregnancy advice. Go to: nhs.uk/coronavirus.

For information on social distancing, go to: gov.uk/guidance-on-social-distancing

Ring our main telephone line on 01777 713330 to book an appointment. Say immediately if your call is an emergency.Your condition may be assessed by a triage Doctor, who will then either provide you with advice or give you an appointment to see a doctor, nurse or other health professional.

The Tuxford Family Fitness Sessions offer the opportunity for families to exercise together. Come along and take part in the beginner and intermediate fitness sessions and take advantage of the free multi sports sessions for the children.

Sessions take place on Mondays (term time only) from 6pm to 7pm. Cost is 3.50 per adult and children attend for free.

Please note: Children exercising must be accompanied by an adult participating in the fitness class.

COVID19 - update, 16th July 2020 - Telephone safe and well checks, shopping and meds collection if volunteers are available. 

Still no face to face activity. Safe and well telephone calls and assistant shopping only.

Bassetlaw Hospital Discharge Scheme operates in Bassetlaw district for anyone aged 50 or over on hospital discharge and helps them to quickly regain their independence and confidence.

The patients will be visited on the ward before discharge and matched with a volunteer.  Services offered include:

• Preparing the home for return
• Assisting with visits to outpatients' appointments, shopping, collecting prescriptions and social activities
• Signposting to other service benefit checks, home safety, community transport and other community services.

All volunteers are trained and DBS checked, and will provide support for six  to eight weeks.

Opening times

Monday:    9 - 5pm

Tuesday:    9 - 5pm

Wednesday:    9 - 5pm

Thursday:    9 - 5pm

Friday:    9 - 5pm

COVID19 update, 13th August 2020 - Parkinson’s UK Bassetlaw Branch 

Greetings and best wishes to all readers from the Bassetlaw branch of Parkinson’s UK. Hopefully, an end to these difficult times will soon be with us.
For branch members, alas there is no news of the group’s activities resuming yet but please keep in touch for any information, help or support the committee can channel your way.
Call Christine Coldwell on 01909 730629.

Bassetlaw Group meeting

This is a monthly meeting for people affected by Parkinson's, sometimes includes guest speakers and meals out.

Please get in contact to find out what activity is happening which month.

There is free parking and disabled parking. Disabled access and toilet facilities.

• Meetings always have a speaker plus refreshments.
• New members are always warmly welcomed and introduced to the other Branch members.
• Local Branch members can enjoy free two monthly lunch club at a local carvery and free Weekly Pilates. ( Seated class )
• Creative ceramics classes.
• Carers and patients discussion groups
• Regular outings and theatre trips  
• Wellness centre access where complimentary therapies are available

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month 2-4pm at the Worksop Cricket Club (Central Avenue, S80 1EN). 

For further information about any of our meetings or activities, please call our local volunteer Chris on 01909 730 629. 

Parkinson's Specific Support Meeting

We hold specific Parkinson's support meetings twice a year for those living with Parkinson's and for carers, in March and October, please contact us for more details. These are held at The Aurora Centre, The Old Library, Memorial Avenue, Worksop, Notts. S80 2BP. Contact Chris Coldwell on 01909 730629 or email chriscoldwell@talktalk.net

Aurora services set to relocate to enable building work to commence

02 October 2020

Aurora Wellbeing in Worksop has this week relocated a number of vital services in preparation for the start of building works and the transformation of the Old Library Building on Memorial Avenue.

Aurora Wellbeing, a local charity that supports people in Bassetlaw affected by cancer and long term health conditions was in 2019 awarded £1.56M from the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF), boosted to £2M with support from key stakeholders, to transform the Old Library Building where the Aurora charity is based.

Throughout the duration of the building works, Aurora will continue to deliver services to local people to ensure people in Bassetlaw diagnosed with cancer receive vital help and support, and until services can return to the centre in 2021.

The Aurora Charity Shop and Tea Rooms will relocate to the former Dukeries Tea Rooms building on Bridge Street in Worksop in October 2020, for a period of approximately six months and will open daily from Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm.

Aurora beauty therapy services will continue to deliver services from Sparkles Beauty, Kilton Road, Worksop and customers are asked to call 0750 3612084 during this period to book appointments.

Aurora Wellbeing Practitioners will continue to provide health needs assessments and support across the Bassetlaw area (working remotely) to help support people and their families with a cancer diagnosis, and to offer emotional support, counselling and workshops.

Aurora exercise classes, including Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi, will continue either online via Zoom or at locations across the locality.

Our support lines are open Monday - Friday (9 am-5 pm). Please call us on 01909 470985 or email admin@aurorawellbeing.org.uk

Pre-loved charity shop
Aurora’s pre-loved charity shop is now open. They have a fantastic selection of good quality clothes, children’s toys and a second hand book collection selling books at very reasonable prices for you to browse. Their volunteers have been busy making hand-crafted quality facemasks, which have an internal breathable filter material and these are available to buy or order from the shop.

Valerie’s tearooms
They are operating a takeaway service from their much loved Valerie’s Tearooms and welcome old and new friends to visit and take away a hot drink, slice of cake or light refreshments. They also have a competitive meal deal on offer.

Aurora services
Aurora continues to offer telephone-based support and services to people and their families affected by cancer or long term health conditions. Every day their advisors speak to people who are living with cancer, newly diagnosed or struggling to move forward with life after treatment, and for many, they face additional difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak. Right now, it is their priority to stay in touch with clients, volunteers and many friends of the charity. They are continuing to offer support and a friendly listening ear to anyone who may be struggling with feelings of anxiety, loneliness or depression and encourage you to chat about your concerns. Contact Aurora via telephone, Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm, on 01909 470985.
Aurora is continuing to offer a range of support services whilst the centre remains closed, and they continue to share information and advice and arrange counselling and bereavement support. Their support groups have moved online, along with Aurora courses and exercise classes. Anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch or to subscribe to their newsletter to keep up to date. Visit www.aurorawellbeing.org.uk/worksop and click on the link.
The rest of Aurora’s facilities in the centre will be monitored closely and will become available when it is safe to do so. They are lucky to be situated in the delightful Memorial Gardens so go along, enjoy the gardens and visit the Aurora Centre.
Aurora would like to thank all of their volunteers and the local community for their continued support.

Support local
If you would like to donate to Aurora to support local people in Bassetlaw diagnosed with cancer, please visit www.localgiving.org/charity/aurorawellbeingcentres.

The telephone service is open Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm. Call 01909 470985 or email admin@aurorawellbeing.org.uk, follow them on Twitter, @AuroraCentres, or Facebook, @AuroraWellbeingCentreBassetlaw.

Aurora provides support to people affected by cancer and long term health conditions.We share information and advice, arrange counselling, signpost support groups, courses and exercise classes. We also offer professional beauty treatments and holistic therapies and advice on skin care and hair loss, to help boost self-esteem and self-confidence whilst undergoing, and recovering from cancer treatments.

The Aurora centre is open Monday - Friday 09.30 am - 4.30pm

COVID UPDATE: SESSIONS ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED.

Safe, effective and fun exercise sessions to help prevent falls, improve confidence and independence and improve posture.

Sessions are delivered by a fully qualified chair based exercise leader, fully insured and a member of REPS (register for exercise professionals). 

The exercises consist of strength and balance training and can be adapted to suit all needs.

Being active can have a positive effect on how we feel and can actually increase our energy levels and help us with day to day activities. 

Exercise sessions also enable us to be socially interactive whilst being in a safe, friendly environment.

Sit tall, stand strong exercises are proven to help hearts and muscles become healthier. They are proven to:

• Help prevent falls
• Inmprove mobility
• Help with joint stiffness/pain
• Help with everyday tasks
• Improve stamina, strength and energy
• Improve balance and posture
• Increase confidence and independence
• Reduce stress and low mood
• Enable regular sleep pattern

Please contact Sarah Mullany:

Mobile: 07731 684 747          Tel: 01909 509 166

'Having worked in the care sector for 20+ years, I have a passion and enthusiasm for enabling people to be more independent and feel more confident.  The sessions I deliver are specialist, evidence based, effective exercises for all people, especially older people, disabled people and stroke survivors.'

GROUPS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID19.

Please contact Sarah Mullany on the details below for when the groups will recommence.

A fun way to meet new people whilst improving your strength, mobility and fitness.

Now available at the following venues

Monday 2pm, Carlton In Lindrick Civic Centre

Tuesday 09.50 am, The Crossing  - Worksop

Tuesday 11.00 am, The Crossing Worksop

Wednesday 11.00, The Well, Retford

Thursday 11.00, The Crossing, Worksop ( suitable for people with MS )

Thursday 1.30pm - The Crossing Worksop ( Worksop Parkinsons Society )

Friday 09.30 am Letwell Village Hall

Friday 2.00 pm, The Crossing Worksop including Friendship Tea at 3pm

Stopped running due to COVID. Hoping to restart in October 2020

This class aids fitness and mobility and takes place at Clarborough Village Hall on Tuesdays from 10.00 am - 11.00 am, followed then by free refereshments of biscuits, coffee, tea and a chat until 11.30 am.

The sessions are run by a qualified level 2 chair based exercise coach with over 10 years experience.

If you want to have fun and a laigh whilst keeping fit and mobile then come along and give it a go.

Steve Bell is assisted by Sarah Bennett to deliver these sessions

The cost is £3.50 per session

IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF BASSETLAW RESIDENTS THROUGH SUPPORTED
ACCESS AND NAVIGATION INTO LOCAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT GROUPS

The Community Advisor is a specialist with a wealth of knowledge and experience about services across Bassetlaw, helping individuals to access non-medical support services from voluntary organisations and community groups.  

Anyone over the age of 16 who is registered with a Bassetlaw GP can access this service.
You can ask at your GP Reception when the Community Advisor will be visiting your local surgery or contact us directly here at BCVS.
The Community Advisor will discuss with the individual how one of the many voluntary or community services may help them improve their health and wellbeing alongside any existing medical treatment.

The Community Advisor can help you to:

•  Identify groups which may offer additional support to help you understand and manage your medical condition
• Access community social groups by giving you a named contact and specific group information 
• Access benefits, debt and welfare advice
• Address loneliness and isolation issues by encouraging participation with local activity group
• Access information and advice on a wide range of services for the whole family

Your Community Advisor will be able to identify suitable support options and they will afford the time to find contact details of the leaders of groups and services to make the access as smooth as possible.

There are several ways to make contact with the Community Advisor:

You can ring the Community Advisor direct for telephone advice. Available Monday to Friday on 01909 476118 Ext 24.

This directory is maintained and operated by Nottinghamshire County Council.

If you need help using this directory or would like to contact us for more information, please get in touch with one of our friendly advisors using the details below:

Telephone: 0300 500 80 80

CSC minicom: 01623 434993

Email: enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk

We are open Monday – Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm.

If your query is specifically around SEND, please email local.offer@nottscc.gov.uk.

If your query is specifically for Supported Self Care, please call 0300 303 2600 or email selfcarehub@selfhelp.org.uk.