A unique group offering support to people who are newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C has been launched in Caerphilly.
The scheme, the first of its kind in South East Wales, is a new pilot being run in Caerphilly but open to visitors from all areas.
Run as a joint initiative between Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru and Drugaid, the group will be held fortnightly at the Phoenix Drop In Centre in Cardiff Road, Caerphilly, and welcomes anyone who has been diagnosed with the condition and needs support.
The next meeting will be between 6pm and 8pm, on Monday July 23.
The group will be an opportunity for people to come along and access peer support from other people living with the condition.
Among the topics the scheme will cover are the impact of being diagnosed, how to disclose the condition to others, Hepatitis C and its effect on the body, treatments, sex and relationships, drug use, health and Hepatitis C transmission, coping with emotional issues and moving forward.
Joshua Hall, service manager for Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru, said: “This group will be a tremendous support to people newly diagnosed with Hepatitis C, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and access helpful information from group leaders, guest speakers and from each other.
“Sometimes when people are newly diagnosed they will have worries but may bury their head in the sand. This group will be an important resource to help them come to terms with living with Hepatitis C and give them the confidence to manage their condition.”
Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect and damage the liver. It can be contracted in a number of different ways centring on contact with the blood, or less commonly, the bodily fluids of another person with the virus.
Often there will be no signs to indicate a person has contracted Hepatitis C and so it may be many years before a diagnosis is made, often after the liver has suffered significant damage. When symptoms do occur they can include flu like symptoms, tiredness and depression.
Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru and Drugaid also offer a free drop-in service every Wednesday at The Phoenix Centre in Caerphilly between 1pm and 4pm for anyone with concerns about Hepatitis C.