Living Well is a free group self-management programme for adults with long-term health conditions. The programme is delivered via group workshops that take place once a week for six weeks – these may be online or in-person. 

The aim of Living Well is to provide people with skills to better manage their health condition and to improve their overall wellbeing and quality of life. Topics covered on the programme include achieving better sleep, managing pain, problem solving, coping with difficult emotions, setting goals and healthy eating. (See “Living Well Supports” section for more detail). 

The programme has been proven to deliver positive outcomes for participants such as fewer GP visits, improved energy levels, and an overall feeling of having better health.  

Living Well follows the Stanford Model for Chronic Disease Self Management and is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE). 

Further information about Living Well can be found here: 

If you would like to sign up for a programme or have any questions, please enter your details below: 

 

The Living Well workshops are delivered once a week for six weeks. Each workshop lasts about 2.5 hours and is delivered by two Facilitators – at least one Facilitator also has a long-term health condition. 

The workshops are delivered in a relaxed and friendly way so that all participants can learn from each other. They may be online on in a classroom setting. (Note – currently our programmes are mostly online – contact us if you would like to sign up or be added to a waiting list for classroom-based.) 

Each participant who takes part receives a book about self-management and information about further supports that are available to them. 

A key part of Living Well is setting goals that you want to achieve. Each week you learn how to reach these goals by making an action plan. You also get support from the group to problem solve. 

In addition, the following areas are covered over the 6 weeks: 

Week 1* Using your mind to manage symptoms
* Fatigue and getting a good night’s sleepIntroduction to action plans
Week 2* Dealing with difficult emotions
* Physical activity, exercise, preventing falls
Week 3* Decision making
* Pain management
* Healthy eating
Week 4* Breathing techniques
* Reading food labels
* Communicating skills
Week 5* Medication management
* Positive thinking, dealing with low mood and feelings of depression
Week 6* Making informed treatment decisions
* Planning for the future 

Living Well is for adults (18 years and over) who are living with a long-term health condition, or for adults caring for someone with a long-term health condition. 

A long-term health condition is one which can be treated and managed, but not usually cured. 

Examples of long-term health conditions include (but are not limited to): 

  • COPD 
  • Asthma 
  • Diabetes 
  • Heart conditions 
  • Stroke 
  • Multiple Sclerosis 
  • Arthritis 
  • Cancer 
  • Crohn’s Disease 
  • Chronic Pain 
  • Depression 
  • Anxiety 

The Living Well programme is not suitable for people with significant memory or learning difficulties. 

SWMDC is responsible for the Living Well programme in counties Mayo, Galway, Roscommon. 

For more information please contact: 

 

Fiona CunnaneLiving Well Programme
Co-ordinator
087 718 5615fcunnane@southmayo.com
Liam GildeaLiving Well Programme
Administrator
(Mayo and Galway City)
086 014 2675lgildea@southmayo.com
Olga MaguireLiving Well Programme
Administrator
(Roscommon and Galway County)
086 014 2688omaguire@southmayo.com