Ongoing support and education
Weston-super-Mare Fibromyalgia Support Group
The aim of the group is to inform people about fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and other similar conditions.
There is a WSM Fibromyalgia Support Group on Facebook. Anyone who is interested may ask to join, you do not need to live in Weston-super-Mare or have any of the conditions. Once joined you are welcome to introduce yourself and start or join in a conversation.
The group also meets up several times throughout the month. For more information check the Facebook group or email wsmfibro@gmail.com.
Online resources
There are many online resources to help people with chronic pain.
Understanding how pain works is vital, and support from other people with chronic pain can be a really important way to help address the often very lonely nature of living with persistent pain.
By connecting with others who have similar experiences, you can share coping strategies and feel less isolated. Having chronic pain can also cause an emotional toll on many people.
The following websites provide a mixture of interactive tools and programmes, inspiring patient stories, plus practical hints and tips, to help combat the loneliness often associated with persistent pain.
- Ten Footsteps Programme – this nationally recognised self-management framework for non-medical management of pain is often integrated into pain support sessions. Available through the Live Well with Pain website.
- Flippin’ Pain – dedicated website providing educational information which was created with the help of people living with pain. Knowledge is power and knowing how the brain processes pain can help you feel safer and more in control, which can actually change how the pain feels. Their ‘Real Stories’ section features inspirational tales and handy hints from others who have learned to manage their condition. See Flippin’ Pain.
- Navigator Tool – a self-management tool to help individuals improve communication with healthcare providers and better manage their daily life. Provided on the Pain Concern website.
- Nutrition and pain – a specialised resource featuring top nutrition tips, recipes, and a self-assessment tool to evaluate dietary habits. Available through the Live Well with Pain website.
- The Hope Programme – a free self-management course designed to empower you to discover your strengths and find new ways to cope with whatever life throws at you. Understand your feelings, thoughts and behaviours, and what to do about them, plus learn new skills that will help you on your journey to feeling better and more hopeful. More details on the Hope for the Community website.
- PainTRAINER – an interactive, online program based on scientific research that teaches you effective strategies to manage your pain, on the PainTRAINER website.
- Action on Pain – support and advice for people affected by chronic pain. Find out more on the Action on Pain website.
- The British Pain Society – created the Lived Experience Collective (LEC), a growing network of individuals who live with pain or care for someone who does. The British Pain Society website shares stories, highlights needs, and guides improvements in pain care and support across the UK.
- ESCAPE-pain – designed as a group rehabilitation programme, bringing people with chronic joint pain together to learn educational self-management and coping strategies. Participants benefit from a shared environment while following individualised exercise regimens. More details on the ESCAPE-pain website.
- Live Well with Pain – resources are developed by an alliance of healthcare professionals and people with lived experience. Their practitioner training courses are also co-produced by individuals living with pain. Go to the Live Well with Pain website.
- Podcasts and radio – Flippin’ Pain provides podcasts that explain the latest science of pain mechanisms, while Pain Concern’s Airing Pain radio programme brings together pain specialists and people with lived experience.
- Animations and videos – there are many useful videos online, such as animations to explain pain science, as well as specific exercise and educational videos for those with joint or back pain (e.g. The role stress plays in pain) plus watch videos from people with chronic pain talking about their experience (e.g. Living with chronic pain)
- Mood Gym – an online course which aims to help you identify and overcome problem emotions. You can complete the course at your own pace, helping you develop coping skills, at Mood Gym.
- Living Life to the Full – an online course based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) designed to help you develop coping skills. Find out more on the Living Life to the Full website.
- Get Self Help – free downloadable CBT resources designed to help with anxiety, worry, depression and stress on the Get Self Help website.
- Be Mindful – campaign by the Mental Health Foundation. Raising awareness of the benefits of mindfulness to help change the way we think, feel and act by combining meditation, breathing techniques and living in the present moment. Find out more on the Be Mindful website.
- getUBetter – self-management app to support your recovery, helping you to remain in or get back to work and hobbies as soon as possible. Go to the getuBetter website.
- Helpguide – offers a range of emotional health and wellness tools which aim to reduce the physical and emotional symptoms of stress. A combination of articles, videos and top tips for maintaining wellness are available on the Helpguide website.
