The Stockport Pain Café recently celebrated its first anniversary – one year of providing a lifeline for people with fibromyalgia chronic pain.

The café is a peer support group, set up by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s pain service, but led by peer volunteers who have chronic pain or fibromyalgia

Having these conditions can be extremely isolating, which can lead to poorer mental and physical health. This peer support group led by volunteers with the conditions, has meant those who use them feel listened to, seen, understood, and most importantly for many, giving them the knowledge that they aren`t alone.

There are guest speakers too, with the most recent being Specialist Pain Nurse Esther Sieff from the Stockport Pain Service at Stepping Hill Hospital. Previous speakers have included a physiotherapist and psychologist.

Feedback from users has been very positive.  100% of attendees felt that the café helped them feel more connected, supported and informed as well as helping them to cope with their symptoms, and 86% felt that the café was good for their wellbeing, made them feel more motivated and in control.

One attendee said; ‘I have to pretend to be ok too often. I don’t have to pretend at the sessions. We can laugh, cry, support each other without judgement.’

Another said; ‘I felt alone with pain and health issues for a long time. This really helps me mentally.’

The Stockport Pain Café runs on the 1^st and 3^rd Monday of every month at the MickerBrook pub in Cheadle (SK8 5NU)  from 10.30am-12:00pm (the next session is Monday 2^nd March, followed by Monday 16^th March.) To get in touch, email fibrocommunitycafe@outlook.com or call 0161 804 4416.