Whittington Health offers a range of free self-management courses to help people in Islington manage long term health conditions.

The Expert Patient Programme is for anyone with a long term health condition. The New Beginning Mental Health Course is aimed at people living with, or in recovery from, a mental health problem. The Diabetes Self Management Programme is for anyone with Type 2 diabetes. Carers of people are also welcome to attend. They also offer a Asthma Self-management Programme for 14-17 year olds.

Not sure if you have a long term health condition? This information from the NHS may help.

Diabetes Self-Management Programme

A FREE 7-week course for people who live with type 2 diabetes (3 hours per week).

The Diabetes Self-Management Programme is designed to help you better manage your diabetes and gain control of your health. The course covers information about living with type 2 diabetes (e.g. managing diet, exercise, medication) as well as skills and tools to help you learn to self-manage e.g. finding solutions to everyday problems when living with diabetes, relaxation techniques, communication with friends and family and other coping strategies.

The course is co-delivered by a tutor living with type 2 diabetes and a healthcare professional (e.g. a nurse).

How can the Diabetes Self Management Programme help you?

People who have come on the course tell us it has made a big difference to them, they feel more positive, able to manage their health and enjoy life again. Benefits include:

• A ‘Tool kit’ of techniques that you can try out for yourself.
• Different topics covered each week.
• Times to share and discuss.
• Building confidence that you can cope with your condition and work towards what’s important to you (your personal goals).
• Being with others who know what it’s like and can share tips
• Focusing on taking control of your condition rather than it controlling you
• Taking small, gradual steps – pacing.
• 12 months after attending the programme people’s HBa1C levels are reduced on average by 0.9%. 

“The DSMP gave me the tools to seek help and advice from my health carers and to find the solutions to the various problems. I now have improved health, take less medication and feel a lot better. The feeling that I was alone and did not have anyone who cared or listened to me has gone. I feel in control of my own health."

 Contact Whittington Health for more information and to find out when the next course is taking

Expert Patient Programme

A FREE 6-week course for people with long term health conditions (2.5 hours per week).

The programme will support you to develop your own personal toolkit of tips, tools and techniques that will help you manage a wide range of common symptoms including sleeplessness, pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety and low mood.

The course is run by two trained tutors who themselves live with long-term conditions. They can give practical advice based on their own life experiences.

How can the Expert Patient Programme help you?

The course will give you a better understanding of what you can do to improve your health, along with the skills and confidence to take positive action.

• Dealing with symptoms like pain and tiredness
• Coping with depression or feeling low
• Relaxation techniques
• Physical activity
• Healthy eating
• Communicating with family, friends and health professionals
• Planning for the future
• Setting goals and pacing yourself
• Remaining active

The programme is also open to carers of people with long term health conditions and will help them develop techniques for improving the health and wellbeing of the person that they care for.

“It has helped me become more aware of my condition and how it affects me, and to feel that I can manage it to some extent through pacing, diet and relaxation techniques.”

The next courses start on Friday, 20 March (N1) and Friday, 22 April (N19). Contact Whittington Health for more information and to secure a place.

Asthma Self-management Programme for 14-17 year olds

A FREE 3-day course for people with long term health conditions (5 hours per day).

This programme is for young people aged between 14-17 years old with Asthma, who either live, study or work in Islington.  The course will help you manage a range of symptoms including wheezing, difficulty breathing and chest pain which can interfere with you being able to enjoy life.

You will learn how to self-manage your condition improving core life skills, such as decision making, problem solving and communication so you feel more in control. There will be an emphasis on interactive learning and the programme is designed to help improve your symptoms and overall health.

How can the Asthma Self-Management Programme help you?

The course will give you a better understanding of what you can do to improve your health so you have the skills and confidence to overcome difficulties and take positive action

• Learn new skills to manage your asthma and become more independent
• Build your confidence to manage your asthma day-to-day
• Meet others and share similar experiences
• Develop leadership skills
• Feel in control so you can focus on with what you enjoy doing

Contact Whittington Heath for more information about upcoming course dates and to secure a place.

New Beginnings Mental Health Course

A FREE 7 week course aimed at at people living with, or in recovery from a mental health problem (2.5 hours per week).

The course introduces many topics and activities to enable you to manage and adapt to the problems you may encounter in daily living.

The course is run by trained facilitators who have experience and an understanding of mental health conditions.

How can the New Beginnings Course help you?

The course will give you a better understanding of what you can do to improve your health, along with the skills and confidence to take positive action.

• Topics covered include:
• Problem solving and goal setting
• Confidence building paced to individual requirements
• Anxiety and depression management
• Triggers and relapse symptom awareness
• Positive thinking
• Relaxation techniques
• Set-back strategies and reinterpreting beliefs
• Healthy lifestyle
• Communicating with family, friends and professionals
• Planning for the future

"Don’t let a mental health condition rule your life. This group approach is friendly, informal and motivating."  

The next course starts on Thursday, 7 May (N19). Contact Whittington Health for more information and to secure a place.