SOAR's Wellbeing Coaches offer support and guidance designed to improve a person's health and wellbeing. They work with individuals on a 1-1 and group basis, running their own groups as well as signposting to other local activities. Janine, one of the team, provides Chronic Pain support. Here's G's journey:
G was referred to one of SOAR's Chronic Pain Clinics at Norwood Medical Centre, due to chronic knee pain. G had a good knowledge of how pain works, and how sleep, diet, daily activities and moving more can affect pain levels, so just needed a nudge to look over anything he was currently missing or had lapsed.
Janine and G met via telephone consultation initially, and then met face-to-face a few times. In all of these, they discussed current activity levels, daily routines, things G had tried, and further actions. G also decided to try a pain pack consisting of a spiky massage ball and a heat/cold pack. During these conversations, Janine mentioned the different activities happening at Longley 4G Community Centre, and Tai Chi came up as something G was interested in.
The initial referral was in August, by September G was attending the Clinics, and by October he was regularly attending local classes!
G is regularly using the heat/cold pack during flare-ups (which are now less regular than before!). G decided to come and try Tai Chi at L4G and is now a regular attendee at the group and other community sessions around S5. He is a member of the Tai Chi Whatsapp group for the classes and other socials outside of the class.
G also regularly has lunch in the L4G FoodWorks Café before or after a class, and enjoys a nutritious meal which he recognises also contributes to a balanced diet. By coming to L4G he is also reducing the social isolation he has experienced in recent years.
Janine says:
"It's great that the people I support have a pathway to other local sessions and can keep in touch with me via my additional role in the community at L4G once I've finished working with them at SAPA5."
G says:
"Tai Chi is one of the few activities that doesn't hurt or impact on my knee or knee pain."
Comments