People across East Cheshire living with respiratory conditions have been benefiting from a dedicated support group for over a year, thanks to the efforts of Respiratory Nurse Specialist, Jane Kent.
Jane, who has been part of East Cheshire NHS Trust’s Integrated Respiratory Team since 2016, relaunched the group after identifying a gap in community support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since its launch in July 2024 and running at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, the ‘Breathe Easy’ group has grown into a valued community resource, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to share experiences, access expert advice, and support one another in managing their conditions.
Her efforts in starting and running the group in her own time and as a volunteer, saw Jane recognised by the Trust with a Colleague of the Month award for showing commitment and dedication to patients feeling isolated or limited by their disease.
She said: “It’s been wonderful to see the group develop over the past 12 months and allow members to support one another with their conditions. I am really pleased how the group has grown, and welcome that it's been recognised by the Trust. This is about bringing local community together, to support, learn and grow.
“It is very rewarding, and I have had really positive feedback. We have had people coming who have been there since the first session and the group is growing in numbers each month.
“Our speakers cover a range of topics; we have been fortunate to access a Breathwork Facilitator, Mindfulness Practitioner, a Medical Herbalist and informative talks by local services such as Talking Therapies, the Living Well service and Citizens Advice.
“I have also done some chair yoga sessions for the group and am already booking next year’s speakers.”
Supported by Asthma + Lung UK, the group is part of the charity’s nationwide Breathe Easy network, which empowers people living with respiratory conditions to lead healthier, more active, and fulfilling lives.
The free session runs on the first Thursday of every month at Macclesfield Leisure Centre who kindly support the group and provide refreshments. A ‘Singing for Lung Health’ session follows the support group which is ran by Respiratory Nurse and singing enthusiast Grace Sagun, with evidence suggesting singing improves lung function and emotional wellbeing.
For more information on the sessions, either as an attendee or speaker: please contact Jane by emailing jane.kent4@nhs.net, or by calling 07912547227.
ENDS
Notes for editors
- For further information about East Cheshire NHS Trust, contact the Trust press office on 01625 663935.
- East Cheshire NHS Trust is the main provider of acute and community health services for people across East Cheshire. The Trust is based at Macclesfield District General Hospital and also manages Congleton War Memorial Hospital and Knutsford and District Community Hospital.
- Follow East Cheshire NHS Trust on Twitter for all the latest news: @EastCheshireNHS
- East Cheshire NHS Charity goes above and beyond standard Government funding to make your local NHS that extra special. From supporting staff health and wellbeing to providing toys to brighten up our young patients’ days to making long stay patients feel more at home – our mission is to make a visible difference. You can make a donation to the charity on JustGiving here.
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