LIVING with a long-term health condition in Poole and Bournemouth?

Then a new course might help you manage all the issues.

Commissioned by Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group and delivered by local charity Help & Care, My Health My Way offers self-management support for individuals aged over 18 and their carers.

The service provides one to one health coaching sessions, either face to face in local GP surgeries,community venues or over the phone. With up to six sessions of 45 mins, the focus is on listening to the person’s story, exploring changes they might want to make or challenges they are facing and supporting them with problem solving and goal-setting to move forwards.

Since 2014, My Health My Way has been running courses, facilitated by experienced coaches in community group settings. The course runs workshops covering topics such as working with healthcare professionals, managing anxiety and relaxation, asking for help, connecting to support, communicating our needs and feeling and understanding self-management.

It also offers the opportunity for attendees to meet other people with similar experiences. A recent attendee said: “I plucked up the courage to go and it’s probably the best thing I’ve done. It’s nice to know you’re not alone and to share ideas with the group.”

This year’s course takes place on April 24, May 1, May 8 and May 15 from 2pm to 4pm at Kinson Community Hub.

Service manager of My Health My Way, Naomi Unwin said: “It's always a pleasure to see how the individuals on the course bond and support each other to grow in confidence. People get so much from being able to share, not only their experiences but also their learning to help others. In their feedback on the courses, people talk about the skills and ideas they've picked up and how it has really helped them grow in confidence."

Call 0303 303 0153 or email healthcoaching@helpandcare.org.uk for more details.