A SECOND course to help people with long-term illnesses starts later this month.

The six-week self-management course, entitled Living a Healthy Life with Long-Term Illness, is part of a Department of Health initiative based on research in Britain and the USA.

Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust is running the programme, which starts on Thursday, May 29, at Stourport Memorial Park Community Centre.

Attendance is free, and all adults with long-term chronic health conditions are welcome.

It aims to give people with long-term illness a chance to develop their confidence in tackling the physical and emotional problems that are caused by their ailment.

"This course is not a substitute for professional care but it does offer people the opportunity to raise and sort out important everyday issues which are not addressed sufficiently by professionals," said Sarah Banham, clinical governance lead at Wyre Forest PCT.

The course takes place one day a week between 10.30am and 1pm. For more information, call Margaret Allsop on 01562 826392.