A SUPPORT group for people who suffer chest conditions has celebrated its 15th anniversary but the organisers are appealing for more people to come along.
Doonhamers Nadine Caven and Brian Murray run the Dumfries Puffin Group at the Kingholm Quay Community Centre every Friday from 3 pm to 4 pm.
The weekly get-together is open to anyone who has a respiratory condition and their partners, families or carers.
Brian, 68, above, is one of the founders of the group – which is affiliated to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland – and he has had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for 20 years and has emphysema.
He added: “If anyone with a chest condition sees this then we’d welcome them to come along.
“People can just come along for a cup of tea or coffee they don’t have to participate in activities if they don’t want to. They can just sit and enjoy the company or some baking.
“Quite a few of the members come for the company. It’s good for tackling social isolation.
“People can come along and do tai chi, play boccia which is quite good, we do quizzes and beetle drives, that sort of thing.”
Nadine, also 68, said: “Most of us in the group have experience of chest conditions and most have come through the NHS pulmonary rehab route.
“We don’t dwell on our conditions we just enjoy a blether. But sometimes it is good to share things about your condition because you might pick something up that you can ask your doctor.”
n To find out more about the Dumfries Puffin group please go to www.chss.org.uk/group/dumfries-puffin-group.
