Living with COPD can feel isolating. The breathlessness, the constant medication management, the worry about what happens when the weather turns cold. It’s a lot to navigate, especially if you’ve just been diagnosed.
That’s why we’re really pleased to announce that we’ve been chosen by the North & West Bristol Locality Partnership to deliver a new community COPD support programme. This isn’t just about running a few sessions; it’s about building something meaningful with and for the people who live with COPD every day.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a long-term lung condition that makes breathing difficult. It affects millions of people across the UK, but it doesn’t affect everyone equally. Some communities, particularly those facing economic hardship or health inequalities, are hit much harder.
In North and West Bristol, COPD disproportionately impacts certain communities. And we know that getting the right support early can make a huge difference to how people manage their condition and their quality of life.
This programme has been designed around what people living with COPD really need. We’ll be working closely with local voluntary, community, and social enterprise partners, as well as people with lived experience of COPD, to make sure everything we do is rooted in real community needs.
Support will also help people understand COPD treatments, COPD symptoms in early stages (such as COPD symptoms stage 1), and how to recognise when symptoms change.
We’ll be running 12 sessions each year, eight face-to-face and four online during winter months when it’s harder for vulnerable patients to get outdoors. These will be practical, supportive sessions covering:
We’ll also have digital champions on hand to help you get set up with the NHS Digital App, and there’ll be plenty of time for questions and connecting with others.
Sometimes the best support comes from people who truly understand what you’re going through. We’ll be setting up peer support groups in warm, welcoming community spaces where people with COPD can come together.
These groups will be places where you can share experiences, swap practical tips, and get encouragement from others who know what it’s like to manage breathing difficulties, navigate oxygen use, or deal with the frustration of not being able to do the things you used to.
People often search for support with COPD stages or COPD life expectancy, these groups provide space to talk honestly about living with COPD at every stage.
One of the most exciting parts of this programme is something we’re calling the COPD Passport.This is a tool (available both as a printed booklet and digitally) that helps you:
As our founder Helen Tite put it:
“COPD hits our most vulnerable communities hardest. Working directly with patients and VCSE partners means we’re building something that works for North and West Bristol residents – not just a programme designed in an office. This is about breaking down barriers and ensuring every patient has equal access to the support they deserve.”
We’re particularly focused on reaching communities who often miss out on support, including minoritized communities and housebound patients. Because everyone deserves access to good care, regardless of where they live or their circumstances.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with COPD in North or West Bristol, or you’re caring for someone who has, we’d love to hear from you. More details about session dates and locations will be coming soon.
Whether you’re looking for information on managing COPD symptoms, understanding COPD treatments, or getting clarity on COPD stages, our programme is here to help.
This is about more than managing a condition, it’s about helping people live well, stay connected, and feel supported. We’re looking forward to getting started!