Cornwall’s Pain Café Network: A Supportive Space for People Living With Persistent Pain

 I had the opportunity to attend a webinar hosted by Health Innovation West of England that focused on Chronic Pain in Cornwall's innovative network of Pain Cafés. These informal, community-driven spaces provide vital support for individuals living with persistent pain, offering both online and face-to-face sessions. The core aim of these pain cafés is to combat the isolation that so often accompanies chronic pain while providing a space for participants to share advice, coping strategies and experiences.

What Makes Pain Cafés Special?

The unique approach of the Pain Cafés lies in their facilitation. Café leaders are trained in Dr Frances Cole's Ten Footsteps programme, which emphasizes de-medicalizing the self-management of pain. Their “socialpsychobio” and “skills not pills” approach empowers individuals to take control of their pain management and fosters a sense of connection and community.

Impressive Outcomes: Making a Real Difference

The results of these cafés are notable. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed participants reported a reduction in opioid use, while half had fewer visits to the GP. Moreover, 64% of attendees noticed improvements in their sleep patterns. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the Pain Cafés in delivering more holistic management strategies.

However, there’s still work to be done. One of the areas where the network has yet to see the hoped-for results is in improving physical strength and endurance. To address this, there are ongoing efforts to develop an activity and movement programme that will be incorporated into future sessions. If successful, this will be a valuable addition to the cafés.

Expanding the Network

During the webinar, there were suggestions for other regions interested in setting up their own Pain Cafés. A quick web search reveals that there are already a number of these cafés across the country, though currently, there are none conveniently located for my cohort of patients. As awareness grows and more cafés are established, I’m hopeful that this initiative will expand to reach a broader audience.

Learn More

For anyone interested in discovering more about the Pain Café network or the Ten Footsteps programme, you can visit their website at https://pain.cafe. Additionally, for more information on Dr Frances Cole's Ten Footsteps programme, visit Live Well with Pain (link to https://livewellwithpain.co.uk/ten-footsteps-programme/).