The Expert Patients Programme (EPP) is a free self-management course for people living with a long-term health condition, or caring for someone with a long-term condition.  The courses provide an opportunity to explore and learn additional skills to help make positive changes to people’s lives, better manage difficulties caused by long-term illness, and improve quality of life on a day-to-day basis. 

EPP groups meet over 6 weekly sessions for 2 ½ hours per week, and topics covered include:

• Managing symptoms such as pain and tiredness
• Coping with stress and depression
• Relaxation techniques and better breathing
• Dealing with difficult emotions such as anger, fear and frustration
• Coping with low self-image and lack of confidence
• The benefits of healthy eating and being physically active
• Improving communication skills with family, friends and health professionals
• Problem solving and planning for the future

The courses have been designed to help people regain confidence in managing day-to-day living despite chronic illness, taking care of oneself while caring for another, gaining a better understanding of symptoms and the affects of long-term conditions, regaining control over physical and emotional well-being, identifying problems and finding beneficial ways of addressing these, and planning for future needs and goals. 

In addition to attending the programme as a participant, it is hoped that there will be people who have benefited from the courses that would then like to go on to train as volunteer tutors to offer the courses themselves in the future, or help promote and support the programme in other ways.  Tutors are fully trained and offered support throughout their involvement in the programme, and have the opportunity to work closely with other members of the EPP team.  However, becoming a volunteer with EPP is not an expectation – attending and benefiting from the course is its primary concern! 

To find out more about the Expert Patients Programme, or to register your interest in one of the courses, please contact:

Melody Cranbourne

Expert Patients Programme Co-ordinator / Trainer

Tel: 01443 485337

Email: mcranbourne@interlinkrct.org.uk