The vision of the project is to empower people living with long-term health conditions and their families to be better equipped to improve their life circumstances. The overall aim of the project is to enable people with long-term health conditions to be able to lead life with little support, and for the families to cope better as their carers.  The long term health conditions are categorised as – physical disabilities (individuals in a wheel chair or having another physical disability), learning disabilities (children and adults with special needs due to learning difficulties), long term illnesses (arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, cancer etc.) and mental health issues (such as depression). 

Primarily, engaging people with long term health conditions in the management of their health is empowering them towards their increased independence so that they are less dependent on health services and their families. To empower people, new strategies for effective management of one’s health are required. The clinical model is commonly available under health services, but there is a need to develop a social model that encourages people with long term health conditions to improve and manage their health better and address problems faced by them in their day to day life.

NKS has already worked with over 70 families providing advice and support along with practical tips to help families adapt to a lifestyle where individuals with a long term health condition are able to manage their health issues independently and be less dependent on health services.  The carers are offered a range of support services to improve their physical and mental health.

If you would like NKS to support you with any of the above issues or you know someone who needs support, please get in touch with us to self-refer or refer a person who needs help.