Living with a long-term condition? We know just how you feel.

Managing your long-term condition doesn’t have to be hard. The Expert Patients Programme, a free six-week course run by people like you and supported by NHS professionals, can help you to regain your independence, manage everyday situations and boost your mental and emotional wellbeing.

The programme aims to help you take more control of your health by learning new skills to manage your condition. The course covers:

• dealing with pain and tiredness
• coping with feelings of depression, stress and anxiety
• relaxation techniques and exercise
• healthy eating
• communicating with family, friends and healthcare professionals
• planning for the future.

What people say about the Expert Patients Programme

I feel confident and more in control of my life.

I am more realistic about the impact of my condition on myself and my family.

I have made new friendships.

I no longer feel alone.

I now use my new skills and knowledge to improve my quality of life.

I manage my condition and treatment together with healthcare professionals.

Annie’s story

About 15 years ago, living with chronic back pain, anxiety and depression, I had become socially very isolated and felt unable to do any of the things which had previously been of value to me.

The content of the Expert Patients Programme all felt relevant to the concerns and situations I and my co-participants shared, the programme places emphasis on recognising and drawing upon our own resourcefulness. It felt so empowering, and that is why, when offered the opportunity to train as a facilitator I took it, and successfully completed the training in 2009.

My involvement with the programme, first as a participant and then as a facilitator and now a master trainer, has been incredibly beneficial to me. As a participant, I developed the skills of self-management of my long-term health condition. This was life-changing. As a facilitator I have grown and developed as a person, gained confidence in myself and met some amazing people. My life has expanded in ways I never would have thought possible. That is why I am such an advocate of the programme. I have seen how powerful its impact can be on people’s lives and I want to continue to share that with as many people as we can, both as a facilitator of the workshops and as a trainer of future facilitators. With the programme now being available as a phone-supported tool kit, and also an online virtual course, it feels like an even more exciting time to be involved and an opportunity for me to pay back some of the investment made in me. Thank you again.

Esther's story

I attended a course and it was one of the best decisions I've made in a long time. The course helped me build my self-confidence back up and taught me how to look at my long-term health condition as something I was 'living' with, rather than 'suffering' with. It helped me to further develop techniques such as pacing, setting action plans, relaxation and healthy eating. I couldn't recommend this course enough, it really helped transform me from a patient back to a person again.