Chiesi marks the return of the You, Me & COPD roadshow in 2024
- The You, Me & COPD roadshow is designed to provide a safe space for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and their friends and family members, where they can access information, receive support and meet those in a similar situation.
- The You, Me & COPD mobile hubs visited Manchester, Hull, Leicester and London in 2023. In 2024, the roadshow will visit Salford, Leicester, Bromborough and Hartlepool from July to October.
- The initiative is supported by Asthma + Lung UK, and co-created with COPD patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
Manchester, UK, 15th July 2024 – Chiesi UK & Ireland in association with Asthma + Lung UK, will be taking its ‘You, Me & COPD’ initiative on a second tour of the country, following its success in 2023. The roadshow, which features a mobile support hub co-created with COPD patients, carers and healthcare professionals will be travelling across England visiting four areas with a high prevalence of COPD: Salford (26th – 27th July), Bromborough (15th – 16th August), and Hartlepool (30th – 31st August) and Leicester (planned for early October).
“Following the positive feedback that we received from last year’s roadshow, we are proud to support those affected by COPD by bringing You, Me & COPD to towns and cities across the country for a second year running," said Ralph Blom, General Manager, Chiesi UK & Ireland. "Alongside Asthma + Lung UK, we aim to provide COPD patients and their families with the resources, information, and community support they need to better understand and manage their condition."
“Local healthcare professionals should encourage anyone affected by COPD to visit the You, Me and COPD roadshow as it’s a fantastic opportunity for patients and carers to find information on living with the condition.” says Sarah Rust, Practice Nurse Lead, St Andrews Medical Centre, Salford. “The roadshow will be visiting areas with a high prevalence and mortality of COPD, with local healthcare professionals like myself onsite to share information on local support services and direct patients to safe spaces beyond the mobile hub.”
A 2023 Chiesi UK & Ireland survey of COPD patients in four high-prevalence regions revealed that over half of respondents had felt hesitant to ask for more information about their COPD because of fear of judgement or discrimination (52%).[i] Furthermore, 61.5% of respondents had experienced being unable to take part in social activities as a result of their condition.3 In terms of what patients need, 73% said they would find support to better manage the mental and emotional impact of COPD helpful with a further 83.5% answering that they would find education on how to manage their condition, now and in the future, useful.3
“People affected by COPD face many challenges in managing their condition, from not being able to take part in day-to-day social activities, feeling isolated and misunderstood to a negative impact on their emotional wellbeing and mental health. The You, Me & COPD roadshow aims to provide accessible information, support and the opportunity to speak to a medical professional and Asthma + Lung UK representative about the condition in a safe and comfortable space.” says Dr Neil Greening, Hon Consultant Respiratory Physician, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.
“If you are in the area living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), drop into the You, Me and COPD Roadshow if you can. It’s worrying to see the results of Chiesi’s survey showing the negative impact COPD has on people’s ability to take part in social activities, which are such an important part of our lives,” said Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma UK + Lung UK. “At the COPD hub, you’ll be able to talk in confidence to an Asthma + Lung UK healthcare advisor, who will be able to give you advice and tips on ways to best manage and live well with your condition. At Asthma + Lung UK we’re proud to be part of this important initiative, which has already helped so many people living with COPD.”
When visiting the bespoke mobile hub, COPD patients and their friends and family members are able to access information, support and speak to healthcare professionals such as nurses and pharmacists onsite about the condition without judgement. A local HCP will also be on-site, alongside a representative from Asthma + Lung UK, to share information on local COPD support services and direct patients to safe spaces beyond the mobile hub. The specific locations for the mobile hub are:
- Salford (26th – 27th July) - Tesco Extra, Pendelton Way, Salford M6 5JG
- Bromborough (15th – 16th August) - Asda Bromborough, Welton Road, Bromborough CH62 3QP
- Hartlepool (30th – 31st August) - Tesco Hartlepool Extra, Belle Vue Way, Hartlepool, TS25 1UP
For more information about the You, Me & COPD roadshow, please visit www.youmeandcopd.co.uk.
[i] Chiesi UK and Ireland. COPD patient survey. 2023. [Data on file]
