Take a walk for those in pain

Sunday 03 March 2019

A local support group for chronic pain sufferers is inviting islanders to take on a 10K Walk from West Park to St. Aubin and back next Sunday in a bid to raise awareness about the daily challenges its members face.

Launched in 2005, Pain Support Jersey, as it has been known since 2011, was created for and by persistent pain sufferers who felt a lack of support in the island.

Laura Butlin-Policarpo, a spokesperson for the charity, explained: "There is a great 10 week programme at The Pain Management Centre, but after those 10 weeks, sufferers are left to motivate themselves and manage their own pain – that’s where Pain Support Jersey helps."

Pain Support Jersey offers weekly activities to its members: gentle exercise, guided by physio-therapists from the Pain Management Centre as well as mindfulness sessions led by Clinical Psychologist, Alessio Agostinis. "Once a month we have a guest speaker come and talk to members about a varying topic and there are also walks and socials too," Mrs Butlin-Policarpo told Express.

Pictured: The support group is gearing up for their first charity walk to raise awareness about chronic pain in the island (Pain Support Jersey)

There are currently over 70 members in the group, the largest the charity has been. However, Mrs Butlin-Policarpo said the group is hoping to grow its ranks as there are an estimated 10,000 chronic pain sufferers in the island.

"Although we don’t yet have the capacity to help that number, it’s a big goal and something we’re working towards!" she said.

Next weekend, the group will be holding its first 10K Walk on Sunday 10 March, starting from La Fregate at 10:00.

"The 10K Walk For Pain Support is about raising awareness of persistent pain," Mrs Butlin-Policarpo said. "For a lot of pain sufferers walking is uncomfortable and challenging, yet something most of us take for granted. I have organised the walk with the aim of highlighting this."

Mrs Butlin-Policarpo has seen firsthand how misunderstood the condition is, because her younger sister suffers from chronic pain. "It’s invisible the majority of the time which is what can make others ignorant when it comes to the topic," she explained. "Alongside pain, there are often secondary effects which make life for persistent pain sufferers debilitating. There are social implications, difficulties in working environments.

Pictured: The group say all are welcome on their first 10K walk starting from Le Fregate next Sunday morning (Pain Support Jersey).

"Loneliness and isolation are often words we wouldn’t associate with pain, but most pain sufferers would quickly tell you these are secondary effects of suffering from persistent pain."

Anyone can take park in the walk, including "self-confessed couch potatoes," ultra runners wanting to slow down, families and even four-legged friends.

"The 10K Walk For Pain Support is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself while raising awareness and funds for a local charity," the support group posted on the event page. 

For those looking for an extra challenge, the group says they can bring a backpack containing tins to add weight. After the walk, the tins will be donated to the shelter.

In a bid to keep the walk eco-friendly, the group has asked participants to bring their own refillable water bottles, which they will be able to refill halfway through the walk at the water dispenser donated by Jersey Water.