Ferndown, Health & Lifestyle | Posted on September 12th, 2024 | return to news
COPD support group marks 15th anniversary
On the first Thursday of every month, patients suffering from breathing conditions like asthma and emphysema gather at the Ferndown Day Centre for the meeting of the Ferndown COPD Support Group.
COPD stands for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a progressive lung disease that causes significant breathing difficulties. Founded and funded by local resident Warren Brown, the support group advises members on how to manage their condition. Despite the name, the group welcomes people from across the county and has had members come from Bournemouth, Lymington and even Southampton.
October marks 15 years since the group was set up by Warren Brown and his wife Dee. Warren set up the group in 2009 after he was diagnosed with emphysema.
“Following my diagnosis, I found out that many Ferndown residents were diagnosed with COPD. There was an urgent need for support in the area.”
At the time, the NHS ran a COPD pulmonary rehab course which patients could attend, but it only ran for six weeks.
“Following the NHS service being withdrawn, the friendships all the people on that six-week course had made came to an end. The question everyone asked was ‘What do we do now, where do we go?’ Support was therefore required. And that of its continuance.”
Warren’s new group soon became firmly established. He speaks to the group on subjects ranging from portable oxygen to Blue Badges, to dealing with strokes, and ensures members who live alone are supported through regular home visits. Warren continues to run the group even as his own health problems have progressed; he now has moderate-to-severe COPD.
Over the years, the support group has invited healthcare professionals to visit and share advice. One of these professionals was Glynis Smith, a respiratory nurse specialist who has worked at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Poole Hospital and Penny’s Hill GP Practice. Now retired, Glynis helps to run the monthly group.
Glynis said: “What I have realised is that this group of patients are the forgotten group, they are always very humble and as the disease deteriorates, they struggle to carry out activities of daily living.
“I feel I have so much expertise and when I retired, I really missed the patients. Warren is amazing, carrying on the group, despite his own health problems. I was more than happy to support him. It allows me to continue caring for this group of people in a voluntary capacity.
“We encourage exercise, healthy eating, relaxation, coping with the loss of the ability to do what they used to do, getting out and socialising, as well as understanding the disease. I feel very privileged to be able to help Warren with his group.”
As well as educating members about COPD, the group invites guests from organisations such as Citizens Advice to educate members on topics like benefits, wills, and first aid. The group has even invited Dorset Police Crime Commissioner David Sidwick to come and speak in November.
Marie Hammond doesn’t have COPD, but attends with her husband who does, and says she values the extra knowledge the group offers.
“The information provided on other things apart from COPD is very useful,” she says.
“I go from here to my friends and tell them all I’ve learned. It’s all so useful. You learn about all sorts of things you’ve never heard of.”
Alan Edgar has been coming to the group for over two years. He values the group’s shared understanding and experience of COPD, saying that it makes him feel he is not suffering alone.
“You are surrounded by people facing similar problems,” he explains. “Glynis and Warren are fantastic at giving us information.”
Warren and Glynis expressed their gratitude to Ferndown Day Centre, who let the group use a room at no cost. People with a respiratory disease and their carers are encouraged to join the group, which meets monthly from 3pm–5pm. New members are always welcome.
For more information, call Warren on 07747 672100 or visit http://www.spanglefish.com/ferndowncopdsupportgroup/.
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