“ABC: Voices of Hope Empowers Individuals with Respiratory Illnesses and Promotes Mental Wellness”
Tuesday 5 March, 2024
Voices of Hope, a charity based in Kingston upon Thames, has recently announced the launch of its new Active Breathing Course (ABC) website. The six-week online course, which was first introduced in 2021, aims to support individuals with long-term respiratory conditions and help them manage their fatigue, stress, and anxiety levels. The course, which is NHS approved and guided by specialist professional tutors, has already impacted over 600 lives through its 60 courses.
According to Voices of Hope CEO Sarah Clay, BEM, respiratory disease affects one in five people and is the third leading cause of death in England. In addition to the distress it causes for individuals, it also places a significant economic burden on the NHS, with an estimated annual cost of £4.9 billion for asthma and COPD treatment alone. This is why the Active Breathing Course was developed, to help individuals manage their symptoms through techniques such as Diaphragmatic Breathing, controlled breathwork, and singing exercises that strengthen intercostal muscles. These techniques are taught in a creative, inspiring, and empowering way.
The Active Breathing Course has shown to have a positive impact on participants, and it has expanded its reach to help people with a range of ongoing respiratory illnesses, as well as those struggling with anxiety disorders. The charity partners with various organizations including charities, healthcare providers, and businesses to offer a cost-effective way for individuals to improve their breathing and quality of life.
CEO Sarah Clay also highlights the benefits of the Active Breathing Course for businesses. With bespoke courses available, the course can improve staff well-being and lead to higher energy and creativity levels, a reduction in workplace stress and anxiety, improved posture, and the positive release of endorphins.
For more information about the Active Breathing Course, individuals can visit the Voices of Hope website at www.voh.org.uk/abc.
-ENDS-
Contacts:
Sarah Clay, CEO, Voices of Hope
sarah.clay@voh.org.uk
Charity No. 1187454
Notes to Editors:
About Voices of Hope
Voices of Hope is a locally founded charity in Kingston Upon Thames with a focused reach into SW London. The charity’s mission is to bring hope to individuals and the wider community, improving physical and mental health through community-based projects. They achieve this through creative and inspiring projects focused on the areas of Creative Arts, Food, and Women’s projects. Voices of Hope works with individuals struggling with complex physical and/or mental health issues, families experiencing food insecurity, women who have experienced abuse/domestic violence, and the elderly. Their projects have also had a growing national reach through collaborations.
For more information, visit www.voh.org.uk.
About Active Breathing Course (ABC)
The Active Breathing Course is a six-week, NHS approved, online and in-person course that supports recovery and long-term wellbeing through controlled breathwork and creative exercises. It is accessible across the UK and is particularly focused on helping those with long-term respiratory conditions, breathlessness, disordered breathing, anxiety, or fatigue.
For more information, visit www.voh.org.uk/active-breathing-course/.
Statistics:
– 8 million people are experiencing anxiety disorder at any one time in the UK according to Mental Health UK.
– NHS England statistics 2023.
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