RESIDENTS of an East Lancashire borough are being offered the chance to learn about Long Covid this month.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Brain Health Breakthrough CIC are running a short course on the condition.

It is open to anyone in the borough.

Karen Haworth, founder of Brain Health Breakthrough CIC, will run the two-hour sessions.

These will highlight how people living with Long Covid experience a variety of symptoms which include struggles with returning to work, mobility issues, and financial insecurity.

The free Long Covid Awareness sessions run on Thursdays December 8 and 15 between 1pm and 3pm at Blackburn's Audley Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

Ms Haworth said: "I have been honoured to support people with Long Covid through our peer-support model over the past two and a half years.

"It has been a privilege to enable people to better manage their symptoms through lifestyle changes and by finding some self-acceptance and solidarity within the group."

Cllr Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Council's public health boss, said: "As a council we’ve led on some important work around Long Covid. Through our Community Champions team, we’ve established a peer-support group and trained volunteers in running the group which is for anyone who feels they may have Long Covid.

"The group has been established for over a year, and has supported around 20 local residents whose work and personal lives have been affected by their Long Covid symptoms.

"These new Brain Health Breakthrough awareness sessions are another step in encouraging greater understanding of the long term effects of Covid.

"Relatives of people who have struggled with Covid symptoms for longer than 12 weeks, as well as employers and indeed anyone from our local communities, would all benefit from taking part to learn more."

To reserve a place or find out more, contact the Council’s Community Champions team online of ring 07971 779792.