Latest news with #NorthamptonshireCarers
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Support group 'empowers' diabetics to manage condition
A support group set up for diabetics over 60 "empowers" people to manage their condition, a woman with the disease has McDermott, 69, had Type 2 diabetes diagnosed 20 years ago and attends the monthly meeting "to get the information I need to help me, help myself."Organised by the charity Northamptonshire Carers, the sessions are held in Wellingborough and involve an educational talk, a wellbeing activity such as watercolour painting or Tai Chi, and lunch."I ignored the diabetes for a long, long time because I suppose I was scared of it and now is the time to take control, so it's really good to be with people that really understand, I have learnt so much," Ms McDermott added. Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too O'Callaghan, a diabetes specialist dietician for the NHS, shares tips on healthy eating with the said misinformation can be a "problem"."I visit to offer advice, answer questions and most importantly let them know they can still enjoy their food," she added. "It's not all doom and gloom, there's a lot of positive things that they can do to manage their diabetes."Diabetes: What is it and what causes it? Gaynor Roberts, group facilitator at Northamptonshire Carers, is in charge of organising each session, including what is on the menu."We try to make sure people get a balanced meal with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as high-protein and low-sugar foods," she make sure what is available is affordable and accessible, food is bought from a variety of supermarkets."They have a choice, but it is a healthy choice, so what we hope to do is set an example," Ms Roberts said."The feedback we get from people about how [attending the group has] changed their lives and changed their lifestyle is really quite amazing." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
22-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Northampton music event to raise awareness of lung conditions
An event has been organised to raise awareness of lung conditions among Romanian and Moldovan communities. The Breathing Space, run by Northamptonshire Carers, supports those affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and similar family day at St Thomas Centre in Northampton on Saturday offers people the chance to meet healthcare professionals while enjoying traditional music and dance performances. COPD is the name for a group of conditions that cause breathing difficulties, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which people may not realise they have and can get worse over time. Senior wellbeing practitioner Keri Platt said: "This event is about connecting with families, building trust and making sure the various health services related to COPD are available."The idea behind this outreach is so we can engage with the communities and then bring them into our service."The NHS recommends seeing a GP if you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you are over 35 and smoke or used to main symptoms are:A shortness of breath, particularly when you are activePersistent chesty cough with phlegmFrequent chest infectionsPersistent wheezingSource: NHSThe Breathing Space also organises twice-monthly medical advice sessions, aiming to reduce anxiety and isolation, and provide learning opportunities for managing respiratory conditions. To enhance accessibility, GPs have recorded information videos about COPD in family event runs on 22 February at St Thomas Centre in Northampton, between 13:30 and 14:30 GMT. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
