How residents are raising awareness of causes close to their hearts Communities thrive when residents feel empowered to share their stories and champion causes that matter to them. In Telford, the Council’s Community Calendar initiative is providing a platform for local people to raise awareness of health conditions that affect their lives, fostering understanding and support across the Borough. The Community Calendar allows residents to request and share events that matter to them so that the Council can mark awareness days for various health conditions. It’s a powerful way of showing solidarity, sparking conversations, and ensuring that people living with often-misunderstood conditions know they are not alone. One resident making use of this initiative is Sophie, who lives with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, known as PoTS. This complex condition affects the autonomic nervous system, causing symptoms including palpitations, light- headedness, severe fatigue, nausea, and fainting whenever she stands up. For Sophie and others with PoTS, something as simple as getting out of bed can trigger a dramatic increase in heart rate. “PoTS can leave some people debilitated and bed bound,” Sophie explains. “It’s extremely under-researched, and many healthcare professionals know very little about it. That’s why having Southwater lit up purple on October 25th for PoTS Awareness Day meant so much – it shows those living with PoTS that they are seen, supported, and not alone.” Sophie’s determination to raise awareness stems from the challenges she’s faced navigating the healthcare system. On average, it takes seven years to receive a PoTS diagnosis in the UK, and half of all patients are misdiagnosed with psychiatric conditions like anxiety before getting the correct answer. Most regions, including Shropshire, don’t have a single PoTS specialist, and there are no NICE guidelines to support treatment. Working alongside PoTS UK, Sophie has spent the past year on various projects to educate the public and healthcare professionals about this often-invisible condition. Her efforts exemplify how individual residents can make a real difference by stepping forward to share their experiences. The Community Calendar initiative extends beyond health awareness days to encompass celebrations of cultural events, commemorations, and community milestones. It reflects the Council’s commitment to giving residents ownership of their public spaces and celebrating the diversity of experiences across the Borough. For Sophie and countless others, seeing their cause recognised publicly validates their daily struggles and helps build a more informed, compassionate community. It’s civic pride in action – neighbours supporting neighbours and ensuring everyone feels valued.
with community pride
“Community Calendar is about giving residents a voice and making sure the causes that matter to them are recognised. Sophie’s work to raise awareness of PoTS is a perfect example of how one resident can inspire understanding and compassion across Telford, and I encourage others to share the stories and events that matter to them.” Councillor Paul Davis Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Civic Pride.
Show the community an awareness day that matters to you https://communitycalendar.telford.gov.uk/home
TOTALLY TELFORD
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