Chronic pain support group holding open day in Kettering

They aim to support and empower people affected by chronic pain. The group runs an inline community on Facebook of more than 530 members who can access support, advice, alternative therapy and relief, and inspiration.

NCPS said: "Our current services range from hosting support group meetings that run across the county, having ‘one to ones’ where they can access individualised emotional support, our recently implemented chronic pain life skills sessions as well as telephone and email support.

"We provide a vital lifeline for our members who previously felt unsupported, alone and invisible."

Chronic pain can have many causes but statistics from the British Medical Journal show that 43 per cent of the population will suffer some form of long-lasting pain at some point in their life.

The NCPS report that between 10.4 percent and 14.3 per cent of the UK's population say they suffer with severely disabling chronic pain that is either moderately or severely limiting chronic pain.

NCPS said: "This makes it even more imperative that we reach as many sufferers as possible in Northamptonshire and offer them support, so that they do not have to face the isolation, grief and mental health issues alone."

One member of NCPS said: "I didn't have a future and now I do."

The open day will celebrate NCPS's work this year and preview what they plan for 2020.

NCPS said: "It will be an enjoyable, relaxed afternoon with a range of local community leaders, local businesses, not for profit organisations and members of NCPS with complimentary hot drinks and sweet treats to warm us up."

The day will be held at Open Doors Project in Kettering town centre and there will be a presentation to show how NCPS's involvement with Open Doors Project has allowed them to offer more support to people affected by pain.

NCPS said: "We want to show the Kettering community how important it is that our work continues and we hope to show how easy it could be to help us deliver these aims."

Open Doors Project is on Kettering High Street next to Nationwide and the event will run from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, December 1.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online here.The Open Doors scheme is run by the Meanwhile Foundation and sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to match landlords with vacant spaces with community groups that need space.