New Support Groups in the Community for people with Long Term Conditions  

There are now support groups for people living in and around Yealmpton who have had cancer or have ongoing respiratory conditions. They are open and welcome new members. These groups offer support and advice and have had great feedback from the participants.   

They have been formed by Yealm Medical Centre working together with local charitable organisations, South Hams Community Action, Macmillan Cancer Care and Devon Breathers.  

The Cancer Café supports those who have or have had cancer. There is support from other people who have been through similar experiences, as well as (in some sessions) from Sarah, a practice nurse who has had specific training in cancer support and Laura, a Social Prescriber both based at Yealm Medical Centre. Comments after the first meeting included: 'This event is excellent; I have felt isolated with my diagnosis' and ‘Support from each other is a great help to me.' The feedback has helped guide and improve further sessions.   

These meetings take place in the Rose and Crown, who have generously provided the venue for free. They are the 3rd Thursday of each month, from 10-12. If you’d like to attend but need support to do so, please contact: Siobain Kelly (South Hams Community Action) Email: siobain@shcommunityaction.org.uk or telephone: 07801 574 945  

Devon Breathers is a patient lead group that supports anyone with breathing difficulties. They focus on education and rehabilitation. It is led by Jim Shaylor, who used this approach to manage his own feelings of breathless and anxiety, due to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – previously emphysema).  One participant commented ‘she’d learnt more in the 2 months of coming to the course than from any medical professionals’.  

A Practice Nurse from Yealm Medical Centre, with an interest in respiratory conditions and a Consultant from the Chest Clinic at Derriford Hospital have both attended the group to offer information and support.  

 The groups run on 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 1-3pm, at Yealmpton Community Centre. Please contact Jim for more details: 07780812462, jimshaylor@gmail.com.