The public are being invited to join the next Live Well – Stay Well course which is due to start at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital in November. Department of Health and Social Care’s Live Well – Stay Well programme aims to help and support people to manage their long term health conditions and improve their wellbeing. 
 
Anyone over the age of 18 who is living with a long term health condition is invited to join the free course which aims to encourage people to manage their long term condition by developing and applying new skills.  The course consists of a two and a half hour session every week for six weeks.  To reserve a place on the next Live Well – Stay Well course starting on 5 November 2014 at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, please email livewell-staywell@gov.im or telephone 486641.
 
Ann Corkill, Senior Nurse and Live Well – Stay Well Programme Manager said: “It can be difficult to come to terms with being diagnosed with a long term health condition, therefore supporting people as early as possible after diagnosis or as activities start to get harder, is vital.  This course has already helped over a hundred people with a wide range of health conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, chronic pain, diabetes, epilepsy, heart failure and high blood pressure, to feel more positive about living with their long term health condition.
 
“The Live Well – Stay Well course emphasises developing new self-care skills, from improving communication with those around you, to ways of coping with pain and fatigue, to the importance of maintaining a well-balanced diet and exercise, to identifying the need to plan for the future.  People gain more confidence in managing their condition by meeting others who are experiencing similar difficulties in a helpful and supportive environment.”
 
The Live Well – Stay Well programme is provided by trained volunteers who themselves have a long term health condition, so they understand the difficulties and situations that can arise. They have completed a training course with accreditation under licence from Stanford University and they are supported by health care professionals.