It has been a privilege to connect with the partners and colleagues on the Improving Public Health Program, working to create viable projects to support Health Equity in Yorkshire and the Humber regions.  This NHS initiative supports projects that contribute to positive Public Health outcomes, thereby reducing the demand on Primary Care and lowering the burden on the NHS. 

 

According to HSE (Health Survey for England), ‘in 2021, 40% of adults aged 16 and over had a chronic illness’. And ‘Long-term conditions comprise the biggest burden on the NHS, involving more than half of all GP consultations, 65% of out-patient visits, and 70% of inpatient bed days.’ (British Journal of General Practice). ‘In England more than 15 million people (over a quarter of the population) had a long-term health condition, or a health problem that cannot be cured but can be controlled with medication or other therapies’ (Nuffield Trust).

 

So much can be done in the community to support health, with connection and communication making a significant difference to the quality of people's lives. Qigong in the community not only provides gentle physical movement, but also provides social connection and I have seen this become a valuable experience for attendees in Mind and NHS Live At Home Schemes. 

 

As a Qigong Practitioner, I am passionate about delivering classes to the people who need them most, and for this project I was able to work on developing a community series of classes specifically for ‘Recovery’. We have 3 classes per week in this extra gentle category, 2 on a Tuesday and one online session on a Thursday. 

 

 In this ‘Recovery’ context, anyone facing chronic illness, chronic pain, post-viral, post-surgery, post cancer treatment, is welcome to attend. Attending these classes varied in numbers, and whilst all classes were attended and the average was 5 people per session. I had a majority of participants managing M.E. and fibromyalgia, as well as post-surgery recovery (Hip, knee replacements & mastectomies, cancer treatments). All participants reported significant improvements in their well-being, with only one feeling a bit sore after exercising. 

 

Qigong is an embodied system, and using a simple combination of breathwork with movement, putting the body into a safe state to heal. We hold a very positive atmosphere in the class where healing is encouraged and promoted. The classes greatly benefit mental health too.  Here’s what one of our students had to say: