Staying well with HOPE
In these uncertain and challenging times, it is important now more than ever to look after each other over the next few months. In the unprecedented situation our world is facing, compassion, creativity and technology will need to play a key part.
The coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) and its impact is understandably causing a great deal of stress and worry for many people. If you already have a health problem, it’s possible that the worries of COVID-19 may be affecting how you’re coping and having a significant impact on your life. Being in self-isolation, having to stay at home and avoid other people, can feel like a strange and difficult time.
We understand this. For over 20 years we have been working with people with long-term conditions to manage their health and wellbeing. In our social enterprise everything we do is co-created, strengths-focused and underpinned by research evidence.
We have co-created the online Hope Programme with people living with long-term conditions, as well as researchers at Coventry University to ensure our work is rooted in science.
What is the online Hope Programme?
There are lots of things you can do to help your health and wellbeing whilst staying at home. We bring together up to 50 people with similar needs and experiences in a safe space across 6 weeks. We provide the tools to build your knowledge, skills and confidence whilst helping each other. The group is run by trained people with lived experience. Each week we cover topics such as:
The course includes quizzes, worksheets, audio and video materials, interactive gratitude and goal setting as well as social networking via messaging and forums.
Hope aims to teach you how to:
become more relaxed
improve your confidence in setting positive goals
learn stress and fatigue management skills
explore any worries you experience when dealing with your long-term condition and self-isolation
What it entails?
You can do the course on your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. It takes up to 2 hours to complete each weekly session, which you can do at any time at your own convenience. There are optional set times for get togethers – like our new live mindfulness session or group hangout.
500 people with long-term conditions and their carers have already completed our online Hope Programmes
This is what they told us:
“It was wonderful to access Hope at my own pace so I could do as little or as much as I wanted each day”
“Having people to support and keep you focussed is really helpful”
“I really liked that we were talking about issues. We all face the same fears, same struggles”
Our team are currently busy adapting the programme to include all the key resources and science driven techniques to help you cope better in these uncertain times.
With Hope, you can come together – safely – with other people in the same boat.
Current and upcoming courses
26/03/2020 Hope for people living with Multiple sclerosis
06/04/2020 Hope for people living with Cancer in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support - Sign-up here - other dates available (04/05/2020 and 01/06/2020)
10/04/2020 Hope for people with any long-term condition living across the South West in partnership with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust - Sign-up here
We are planning further courses in the upcoming weeks. These will be advertised on our website and social media and through our partners.
If you would like to be informed in advance about our upcoming courses, please register your interest.
We know that many people do not ask for help. We also know that doing an online group is not possible for everybody. We are grateful to all the community groups, organisations and front-line staff supporting those in need.
Whilst there is alarm and anxiety, let’s work together to spark resilience, spread calm, kindness and Hope. Stay safe, stay home.
Would the Hope Programme benefit your organisation?
We can each play a vital role in helping to reduce the impact and look after ourselves and each other. Support each other, in safety, on our Hope platform. If you are an organisation who would like to refer a full cohort of people onto a course or have Hope tailored to your needs, please get in touch.