“One of the biggest benefits to attending this group is the lack of judgement – we are all in similar situations and the knowledge that you are not alone is quite frankly, a godsend, especially as so many ‘professionals’ treat you like an idiot and second-class citizens. I look forward to attending every month”
““I have learned a great deal – coping mechanisms, relaxation techniques, realising I am not alone””
““I feel I have learned more from Pain Association course and sessions than from conventional sources (GP, Physio etc). Very Empowering!””
What Do We Deliver?
18.1% of the adult population in Scotland are burdened with debilitating chronic painful conditions. Our provision addresses the non-medical issues which devastate peoples lives and those of their carers, friends, relatives and colleagues. Our service is delivered by our unique two-strand interactive community based approach which has been designed and developed in collaboration with the service users. The first strand, offers a rolling programme of learning, coping strategies and techniques, understanding and support and skills maintenance. The second strand offers an intensive self-management course covering the main bio-psycho-social issues which continue to burden those affected. We will deliver this in the following ways:-
* Provide, deliver and support learning in self-management techniques within the community
* Provide care and understanding through a unique person-centered model which has been developed in collaboration with service users.
* Through understanding the complex nature and needs of the Chronic Pain Sufferer.
* Through an approved community based, evaluated model of people-led support. Chronic Pain continues to be one of the most neglected areas of our Health and Social Welfare provision; particularly in remote and rural areas which this application is addressing. The changes this will facilitate are:-
* Empowering people to take responsibility for managing their own health condition.
* Irrespective of diagnosis, our person-centered, interactive model of self-management has demonstrated through evidence based evaluation that sufferers benefit from and improve their health and well-being.
* Addressing the unacceptable degree of health inequalities across Scotland which is clearly highlighted in the incidence in areas of social depreciation and remote and rural communities.
* Improved coping - 93% of our service users consider their overall coping to have improved since attending the local self-management monthly group meetings.
* Reduced flare-ups - very importantly and a clear beneficial outcome is reflected in the fact that 64% have had fewer flare-ups and fewer visits to their GP regarding their pain levels.
* Reduced isolation - people realise they are believed and not alone with their debilitating health condition and they are able to share with others and benefit from the peer support.
Here’s some of things we delivered and achieved in 2019/20
