A woman has supported over 800 people after creating the world's largest live long-Covid recovery programme. Brighton resident Suzy Bolt, 52, set up her support programme after contracting Coronavirus in March 2020. The mum-of-two become severely ill for many months and continued suffering from symptoms of the infection, such as extreme fatigue, lung pain and heart palpitations, long after the infection had been treated.
READ MORE: Meet the Second World War pilot who was honoured for gallantry Suzy reached out on social media and found that thousands of people were struggling with similar symptoms, despite being given the all clear by doctors and tests. The mind body health coach said she was horrified by the lack of support available and decided to use breathwork, movement and other restorative practices to reset her nervous system and aid her recovery. She then decided to help others through online sessions which are attended by thousands of people with a variety of chronic illnesses.
Suzy told The Argus she is now 80 per cent recovered and has 17 trainers providing daily support sessions to people in similar situations. People can find out more about the sessions and the Rest, Recovery and Repair programme at https://www.360mindbodysoul.
co.uk/therestrepairrecoverprogramme. She said: “People with chronic health issues are often unfairly labelled as 'work-shy' by the Government despite their desire to return to employment while managing debilitating conditions.
“This simply isn’t true - but the need for more flexible working and more generous return to work schemes is huge and can only be driven by a culture change. “The rise in demand we’ve seen indicates there’s not enough support out there. “People forget this sickness still impacts lives.
"They come to the programme feeling unsupported, isolated, and hopeless. There is only so much that the NHS can offer on the scale and regularity that is needed. There isn’t a time line on recovery - it can take some people weeks, some months and many years.
” A former student of the programme said: “In my darkest of places three and a half years ago, I discovered Suzy’s programme. "When I couldn't leave the house and was in a mental health crisis, I found a space where I could lay and be with others who were like me for the first time in my life. It opened a door I never expected to find.
” Suzy said doctors, counsellors, and wellbeing professionals are increasingly referring patients to her recovery programme, which had also been said to inspire the approach of many NHS trusts and their long-Covid treatment protocols. Suzy has now been shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2024 after being recognised for her contributions to the health and wellbeing sector. She said: “I am delighted to have been short listed alongside other such significant businesses and business leaders.
“The last three years have been humbling, exhausting and so rewarding. "Being able to use my skills to create a way to help people that have been left with little or no support whilst suffering from debilitating illnesses like long Covid, chronic fatigue syndrome, and burn out. "We’ve continued to support people from all over the world who have found us through recommendation, or referral by medical care professionals and former students of our programme.
” For prices contact Suzy..
