Morning all! I have severe COPD, both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. I contacted the BLF about setting up a Breath Easy group in my area. I help run a friendship group with over 1600 members so thought it would be a great thing to start up for myself and the others in the group with lung conditions. However, BLF aren’t getting involved in setting any more groups up for the next year or two due to a nationwide survey they are doing of how the groups are run. I am borderline stage 4, so am aware of the benefits of these groups so although I totally understand, I was a little disappointed to say the least. Does anyone know of anything else that’s free to users that I could possibly set up to help sufferers? Any advice or suggestions would be great 😊
Breath Easy groups: Morning all! I have... - Lung Conditions C...
Breath Easy groups
I find singing does wonders for me. Many people love it)even if they are tone deaf🤫)???????
Was in a rock choir but this became expensive and I didn’t have the time off work it required.
That’s a good idea! Thank you 😊
Basically you could do it with a karaoke type machine for back up music and someone who is willing to print of some lyric sheets for everyone? It’s great fun for all ages and brilliant breathing exercise!
Brilliant! Thank you. I’ll look into it 😊
What area are u in ?
Hi ShellC, I’m from England but now live in lovely North Wales. Apparently there are only 20 breath Easy groups across the whole of Wales, that’s why I thought this would be a good idea 😊
I run a singing for lung health group in Crewe, and would be happy to help you set up something similar in North Wales. PM me if you would like more information.
Hi I think it's safe great idea having a friendship group. Please let us know how and when it is set up. I would be very interested in joining.😊 Bernadette xx
Hi Bernadette, the friendship group is already up and running, we get members doing all kinds of things. It is free membership. Our aim is to help those who are isolated or lonely for whatever reason, but all are more than welcome. I We are based in North Wales. I don’t think I’m allowed to put up a link on here but if you want to know more you can message me? Is that ok Mods? 😊
Thank you 😉xx
Hi Hidden yes that's fine! If anyone is interested in finding out more, please do send him a message! 
Thank you Ben 👍
Hi the Breathe Easy group in my area got the use of a hall free of charge. A respiratory nurse gave up her time free to help run it. Guests eg the fire brigade would visit and give talks for free.
A charge of £1 per person would apply and for that you got a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. To raise funds they would do a raffle. People would bring a little gift in ie a cake and a ticket would cost £1. This paid for any incidentals.
It is possible to do it without BLF support so why not give it a try and see what happens. x
You can order BLF leaflets here shop.blf.org.uk/collections...
If you get a healthcare professional involved, they will be able to order in bulk for you.
Thank you Symes, very helpful 😊
Hi Hypercat, very helpful post thank you. I just feel that if I was going to do something similar to breath Easy, I’d rather do it with BLF backing than without. They know exactly what they are doing having organised these groups all over the country. Guess you are right though, in theory it could be done without them 😊
I am not sure if this applies to all Tescos but our big Tesco has a community room for groups to use with a focus on health and support the room is not very big though so for lots of members you may want to hire a hall tescoplc.com/little-helps-p...
The local Breathe Easy I used to attend hires the salvation army hall, members pay an amount toward tea and coffee and the hire of the room. Basically there is a committee which does have to provide income and expenditure accounts for the records, that group used to use BLF logo for any communication to get speakers, it helps I think but of course if BLF are no longer supporting breath easy groups in that way its probably not appropriate to use BLF logo, check with BLF. BLF being a registered charity for lung disease and Breathe Easy groups permitted to use the BLF logo may achieve speakers from NHS community matron, oxygen suppliers, respiratory nurse etc. more easily than without being a registered charity.
Good luck, wishing you a smooth and successful set up and membership.
We do not have a breathe easy group in my area. Never got a chance to go to pulmonary rehabilitation as this is 30 miles away. So from a small tai chi group a lady started singing group. All musicals. Printed off web sites or bought at charity shops just so we all know the words and music from phone.it is so much fun and a real lung work out
Thats interesting , in your case could you not set up a subgroup within your freindship group?, as it is a large freindship group, for this issue. Brochures ect can be got from BLF. Local hospitals can often supply speakers if you get in touch with them via the media department. Some people meet in there own home to begin small groups, charities will often help start new groups for a specific issue, you need to become a community group in your locality. Local councils sometimes finance small groups starting up and are very keen on health and care at the moment. Good luck if you decide to go ahead.
Yes a subgroup. As well as organising trips out, Coffee morning, dog walks, lunches etc, we are in the middle of setting up various groups - Craft, art, drama etc so I felt now would be the time to set up a breath easy group. We have just finished creating a voluntary group so can now fundraise a small amount to help us with various things in the community 😎
Thats good news , I help run a small group for widows so understand what it involves. But your freindship group is much bigger, in our city we don't even have a room for hire to accomodate that amount of members. I am on the committee of another group and we have just started a fund raising sub committee for projects in the community. It is not an easy task especially if your groups have health issues or like my group all over 65. Smaller groups are more freindly and it is easier to get to know all the members. Good luck for the breathe easy group.
That's such a wonderful idea Hidden and so unfortunate that BLF can't accommodate you. Kudos to you for being so proactive and wanting to help others. I'm sorry I am not much help with your question but I hope someone can give some pointers in the right direction. Take good care. xx 🙋🌸
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