THOSE living with serious lung conditions and breathing problems in the Carlisle area are managing to stay out of hospital thanks to a dedicated rehabilitation course.

Freely available on the NHS, pulmonary rehabilitation helps those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma and other long-term illnesses.

It teaches them how to exercise without overdoing it, so they can gradually improve their fitness, and manage other debilitating symptoms.

Stephen Hodgson, 56, from Longtown, said: “The class gives you the push you need to keep going and to reach your goals. Everyone has their individual goals and mine was to be able to walk more. Its good being with other people who are going through the same thing as you.”

Len Trickett, 87, from Carlisle, added: “The course has really helped. Everything is still an effort but I can breathe much better, walk a little further and I’m not as tired.”

Erica Down, 66, also from Carlisle, has asthma and developed pneumonia six years ago. More recently she had a major operation and slight stroke, which knocked her back. But she said the course has helped her regain her confidence. “It’s helping me with my breathing, because of my asthma, but also my balance and mental health,” she said.

William Irving, 79, enjoyed the course so much he came back as a volunteer.

“When I started the course I could hardly do anything at all. I had even been in hospital four or five times with my breathing,” he said.

“By the time I had finished I was a different person. I would advise anyone to do this course and I would also say to anyone who smokes please stop, my issues are all because I smoked.”

To find out more about the course, speak to your GP.