Specialist support group shortlisted for an HSJ Award
One of our county’s Ageing Well community asset groups, Pumped Up, was recently a finalist for the Place-based Partnership & Integrated Care Award at the 2023 HSJ Awards. Pumped Up is a network of support groups for people living with heart failure or who have had a heart attack. This support group is part of our countywide Ageing Well programme which includes other similar groups that help people with long-term conditions to choose well, live well and stay well.
Before Pumped Up there was no local cardiac rehab for heart failure patients which meant that patients were reliant on unplanned care services. Heart failure carries a poor prognosis so there was a need to provide a service that could help people in the community before they needed urgent care.
The overall approach to the group is based on learning and lifestyle factors, and the format of a group setting is ideal as it provides peer support, friendship, hope, and empowerment to self-manage. Expert advice and guidance are delivered by an NHS consultant which can help reduce anxiety and potentially GP appointments as well.
There are also education and information sessions from guest speakers and wellbeing activities such as meditation, Tai Chi, cooking and laughter yoga. Volunteers bring a warm welcome, and a healthy vegetarian lunch is provided.
Northamptonshire Carers is one of the partners helping to deliver the groups, Lisa Judge, Team Leader from Northamptonshire Carers said:
“We are honoured to be finalists at the HSJ awards and to be recognised for the outstanding specialist support we provide. Pumped Up groups are really special places that empower our members with condition-specific information and guidance, including around exercise and nutrition, along with peer support and friendship.
“We now have five groups meeting twice a month across the county, along with our own library and we have recently held our first food festival. Thank you to all of the staff, volunteers and speakers that facilitate Pumped Up, and to our group members and carers who come along to each meeting, embrace our programme and support each other to live well and stay well.”
Access to the group is by healthcare professional referral only, find out more on the Northamptonshire Carers website.