Issue 2: ENO Breathe Steering Committee Participant Role

Following the growth of the ENO Breathe programme in September 2021 we took action to bring participant voice onto our Steering Group Committee. The first three participant members are now reaching the end of their term on the committee and have played a vital role in bringing their experiences and insights to help direct the programme forwards. 

We are now welcoming applications from former or current Breathe participants to take on this role, sitting on the Committee to help us continue to shape and develop the programme using their unique perspective as people who have experienced the programme first-hand and have lived experience of long COVID.

The ENO Breathe Steering Committee is an advisory group that aims to provide advice and guidance to the ENO Breathe programme, helping to support its on-going development and delivery and ensuring it remains on track with its vision and aims.

Members of the ENO Breathe committee currently include key players within the arts and healthcare sectors as well as 3 past participants from ENO Breathe, who have used their direct experience of participating on the programme and living with long COVID to share valuable thoughts on the programme and its future development. These 3 past participants have now reached the end of their term, and we’re looking for up to 3 more participants to represent our ENO Breathe Community.

Here’s how our current three participant members have found their time on the ENO Breathe Steering Committee:

Sharon

The opportunity to join ENO Breathe came at a really important time after months of being unwell, giving me hope that I could regain some control of my breathing and do something positive to help my recovery.

When the opportunity came up to become a participant member of the ENO Breathe Steering Committee, I put myself forward as I felt passionate about spreading the word on the benefits of joining ENO Breathe, and was keen to support this amazing project in any way I could. I have now been a participant member of the Steering Committee since November 2021, and it has been a privilege working with both the dedicated staff at ENO and the amazing medical and research teams who have developed ENO Breathe. Learning about the impact of the programme on an ever growing number of participants has been one of the many things I have gained from being involved. Working alongside two other participant members, I have taken an active part in meetings and contributed ideas and suggestions to take ENO Breathe forward, including plans to reach out to a more diverse range of patients with long Covid across the country. I would encourage any recent ENO Breathe participants who may be interested in becoming a part of the ENO Breathe Steering Committee to come forward to be part of this exciting programme as it goes from strength to strength.

Jen

The past six months working as an ENO Breathe Steering Committee member has been an absolute joy in so many ways, and I am delighted to have been able to keep such a strong connection with a fabulous programme. In this role you will be part of a close knit, passionate and very knowledgeable team dedicated to the running, and where possible, the improvement of the programme. Your insights, knowledge and experience of long Covid will be valued and listened to. I would highly encourage any former ENO Breathe participant, who feels ready and able enough to commit to some additional time and energy, to apply for this role. Best of luck.

Umut

Simply ‘a fulfilling and rewarding experience’…

Over the course of my tenure as Steering Committee Participant Member, I had the unique opportunity to work with the people who developed the programme and made it the success story it is today. It is such a welcoming environment working with such lovely people, who are very supportive and, may I say, patient. Prior to becoming a member I was already singing ENO Breathe’s praises from rooftops… Yet, being given the opportunity to contribute, join the conversation and, if lucky, leave a mark behind is something I will cherish. Needless to say, I am grateful for all the support I received during the process.

I highly recommend the role to any current/former participant who has benefited from this programme and who will have the opportunity to champion it…

For more information on the ENO Breathe Steering Committee, full details of the participant role within the committee, and how you can apply, please download the document below.

ENO Breathe Steering Committee Participant Role