A.P.R.I.L. - Action On Pain Resource and Information Library - New Forest
It is a little known fact that around 1 in 7 of the UK population suffers with chronic pain. Taking into account immediate family members, carers, friends etc, the ratio increases to about 1 in 4 people affected directly or indirectly! Yet the treatment of chronic pain is one of the most under-funded services in the NHS today. By being denied early access to such services, far too many people experience a devastating long-term impact on their life. Financial hardship, caused by the inability to work, can put severe social and emotional strain on a family. The lack of effective on-going support is often the key factor in preventing them ever getting back into employment.
Our charity is dedicated to offering support and advice for people affected by pain and we do this by providing a free of charge service which includes a walk-in centre and reference library with up to date information and impartial, friendly, first-hand advice and support from our volunteers many of whom do themselves suffer with, or have been, affected by chronic pain and can provide helpful advice based on their own experience of living with and managing chronic pain. It is clinically evident that a person is better able to self-manage, if they have a good understanding of the nature of their pain.
