Training for Support Group Leaders
6th April 2019

Can you be a Support Group Leader?  If you are a health care professional with an interest in supporting people with IBS, or you are someone with IBS who wants to help others manage their condition, sign up to this one-day free Group Leader training course.     

Venue:   Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield, S1 2AU

The next training day's will be 6th April 2019 and 14th September 2019 for more information please contact sam@theibsnetwork.org 

We are planning more training days next year! Courses will be run in Sheffield initially. However if we receive enough interest from other areas these will also be considered.

Despite all the research, IBS is still largely unexplained. There is no distinctive pathology, no clear cause, no diagnostic test and no established treatment. It is an ‘individual’ illness. Not only is there a diversity of symptoms, but the pattern of the illness, the context and the associations are unique expressions of the personality; diet, life style and what has happened.   

In a matter of just a few minutes per appointment, doctors cannot hope to understand the complexity of a person’s illness. No wonder patients feel misunderstood. 

Self-management is the cornerstone of IBS treatment. If patients can share their experience in an open and non-judgmental environment, learn to understand and manage their own illness, and support others who are struggling with their symptoms, IBS ceases to be a threat; they can be in control. But, to be successful, self-management needs guidance from trained health care professionals or expert patients. 

The IBS Network aims to establish a national network of Support Groups led by trained facilitators. These groups would work alongside existing health services to encourage self efficacy.   

By attending this course you will learn:

• how to set up and run a group 
• techniques of engagement and active listening
• the information people need in order to manage their IBS effectively  
• how to support and motivate   
• about raising funds and encouraging local support
• what resources are available from The IBS Network

This training event is free of charge.  We will be providing refreshments and lunch (with IBS friendly foods).   

Please contact Sam Yardy for an application form as soon as possible as places are limited. sam@theibsnetwork.org