What is Breathe Easy?
The British Lung Foundation was founded in 1984. In 1991 Trevor Clay, one of the Trustees, and a man with emphysema had an inspiration.
He recognised how isolated individuals with lung conditions could feel. How despondent they felt and how their self esteems was lowered. He saw the need for people affected by lung disease to come together for mutual support and education. Those affected included friends, relatives and carers of the afflicted person.
His aim was simple. He believed that people should
Live with their lung condition not suffer from it!
Breathe Easy Doncaster
Breathe Easy Doncaster was formed in 1997. It is a local support group for people living with a lung condition and is part of the British Lung Foundation.Some of the medical staff at the hospital asked a few regular patients what they thought about setting up a support group. Within six weeks a committee was formed and the first open meeting was held.
There are approximately 240 Breathe Easy groups across the UK. The main object of the group is to support each other.
The group meets every 3rd Thursday of the month (except January) at Ennerdale Community Centre, Mardale Walk, Fernhurst Road, Wheatley Hills, at 1.30pm. There is parking across from the centre and very little walking to the entrance. The centre is on a bus route and it stops just outside the door.
At the meetings the grouphas a guest speaker. There are different topics and not just medical ones. In the past the group has had paramedics, benefits advice, RNLI which a few weeks later, was followed by a trip to the lifeboat station at Cleethorpes.After the speaker refreshments are served and the group members have a natter with each other before leaving for home. The meetings last around two hours but you are free to leave whenever you wish. You do not need to tell anyone you are not attending the meetings or even leaving, you just come and go as you please. There is no pressure at all! The group call the meetings social gatherings with friends.Some of the members have shared their hobbies with the group too.
There is a social side to Breathe Easy. The group has nights out to the greyhound track where we have a three-course carvery. Some members even have a flutter. There are trips out anda Christmas dinner.
The group also raises awareness of Breathe Easy Doncaster and the British Lung Foundation. We do this by publicity, leaflet display boards and word of mouth. There should also be information in Doctors’ surgeries.
The main objective of the group is to support but we do a little fundraising. For instance, standing at supermarkets with collection tins and coffee mornings. Members are not pressurised in to helping its all on a voluntary basis.
British Lung Foundation has a website where there is lots more information. Their address is
There is also a helpline number you can ring for advice and information. There are fully trained nurses, counsellors, and benefits advisor all ready to take your call if you have any concerns. The lines are open between Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm. The number is 03000 030 555.
If you are living or are affected by a lung condition and would like to join Breathe Easy Doncaster thencome and give us a try. You do not have to come alone, family and friends are welcome too.
If you do not wish to attend the meetings, you can still be a member and be on the mailing list for the newsletter and other information.
It’s free to join!
Contact 07580365679 for more information.
Or email
Everyone welcome.