Greenwich residents with long-term health issues can sign up to a series of courses aimed at helping them gain the skills needed to manage on a day-to-day basis.

The Greenwich Expert Patients Programme (EPP) is funded by Greenwich Council and provides free self-management courses to anybody living with a long-term health condition - as well as for people caring for someone with such a condition.

Booking is now open for the next set of courses, which begin in May and run until July in various locations across the borough.

Courses typically run over six weeks, structured as a two-and-a-half hour session each week.

The course aims to help participants take control of their health, obtain the greatest possible quality of life, work effectively with healthcare professionals and make the best use of available resources.

One resident who signed up for the EPP was Suzanne Simpson from Charlton.

She first got involved three years ago to receive support as a carer for her son Sam, who suffers from Haemophilia A – a condition that affects the blood’s ability to clot.

As well as caring for Sam 24 hours a day, Suzanne also has two other children to look after.

When Sam was 14, Suzanne started attending the EPP ‘Supporting Parents’ course aimed at parents of children who live with a long-term condition as she felt she needed to do something for herself.

To register or for more information, call 020 8921 5528, email vitta.curtis@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or visit greenwichhealthyliving.nhs.uk