Return to: Emerge ACT, Long COVID
Courses
At Arthritis, Pain Support & Emerge ACT we offer programs to assist you in managing your debilitating fatigue conditions;
A long COVID specific program for those living with long COVID.
A Self Help Course for those living with any type of debilitating fatigue including ME/CFS & Long COVID. This course is also useful for those living with long term chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia
Club Tortoise which is an ongoing, flexible weekly program for learning and problem-solving pacing skills for managing chronic conditions.
Long COVID Program
Arthritis ACT has produced an information program for those living with long COVID that includes fact sheets and PowerPoint presentations which can be viewed at your convenience.
Fact Sheets
Video presentations
2. Managing coughs and breathlessness
3. Managing joint and muscle pain
6. Defining our limits and pacing tips
8. Sleep
10. Managing medical appointments
11. Managing the health system
15. Managing Events
17. Immunisation
Self Help Course
Our self-help course is a tailored, 9-week peer support course for people with post exertional malaise or chronic pain conditions, including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, long COVID and other related conditions. Our initial in-person course, established in 2004, was based on an online course offered by the USA organization ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Self-Help, and an accompanying textbook by Dr Bruce Campbell called “Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia” (hard copy available for purchase). Since 2004, the ACT course has been adapted to reflect our participant’s experiences, including Long COVID. The course is delivered online via zoom.
Course Structure
The 9-week course via Zoom is scheduled 3-4 times per year to be concurrent with the ACT school term, with intakes generally in January, May, July and October. Each course is facilitated by 2 facilitators with lived experience and restricted to a maximum of 8 participants. Each session’s duration is one hour, with multiple short rest or movement breaks offered.
Course Content
Topics covered address 5 main principles for living well with chronic conditions:
- Self-management: tools to help you can manage your condition
- Pacing: strategies to live your life within your energy limitations
- Stress management: relaxation and stress reduction techniques
- Social support: engaging with peers who understand
- Finding meaning: finding ways to have purpose even with your health limitations
Contact [email protected] or ring 02 6251 2055 for further information, to join an upcoming course, or to register on our waitlist.
Club Tortoise Pacing Program
Club Tortoise is an ongoing, flexible weekly program for learning and problem-solving pacing skills for managing chronic conditions. It consists of weekly Zoom peer support groups and a private Facebook page for participants to connect between sessions. Each session of the support groups will begin with a short 3-5 minute presentation on an element of pacing or living with chronic illness and then will be open to discussion and problem-solving for participants. No experience necessary! Pop in and out as you need. Club Tortoise is an extension on our self-help course and the Long COVID factsheets and provides additional support from facilitators with lived experience of fatiguing and pain conditions.
Topics Covered
Tailoring your activity to your best time of day, the importance of mental rest, measuring progress with a chronic illness, finding acceptance and hope, keeping fun enjoyment and pleasure in your life when pacing, illness and aging, and using tools and devices to assist your pacing and self-management.
Zoom Session Times
Tuesdays 7pm-8pm
Thursdays 11am-12pm
Get a Taster
Try out our approach to pacing with our Introduction to Pacing for Chronic Conditions talk here!
Contact [email protected] or ring 02 6251 2055 for further information.
