Since first meeting over a year ago, Stockport’s long COVID peer support group is providing a lifeline for people who are still unwell weeks and months after they first caught COVID.

Every Wednesday at 11.30am the group meets on Zoom for an hour of chat, friendship, advice and, above all, understanding with other people who know just what it’s like to live with long COVID.

The group is facilitated by Marie O’Malley from Stockport Council’s Public Health team.

Marie said: “I help the group run smoothly and invite guest speakers who can give advice and information to help our members live as well as they can with long COVID.

“Our group members get so much from each other - we laugh, we cry, we share experiences and top tips.  You can just drop into the group whenever you want to – there’s no pressure at all and if someone is having a bad day they might just listen to the chat.

“Two of our regular members have also started a coffee morning at Vernon Park café on the third Monday of every month which gives people a chance to get out and meet up in person.”    

Members of the group have given feedback saying the group is a great way to share experiences, get advice, share frustrations, and to feel supported in the company of those who have faced similar experiences.  

Medical care and support for people in Stockport with long COVID is also available from the specialist clinic based at Romiley Health Centre and run by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. Patients are referred on to the clinic from acute, community and primary care services, which is a separate service from the support group.

Stockport’s long COVID peer support group meets:

• every Wednesday on Zoom, 11.30am to 12.30pm – it’s a drop in so you can just join in when you feel like it
• for a drop in coffee morning on the third Monday of every month (excluding bank Holidays), 10.30-11.30am at Vernon park café (inside the park) Turncroft Lane, SK1 4AR.  Just come along and say hi to the group
• members can also join the group’s Whatsapp. 

To find out more about the group visit Healthy Stockport Long-COVID peer support group web page at or email Marie.omalley@stockport.gov.uk or phone 07800 618570.