I’m running the Berlin Half Marathon in support of ENO Breathe Programme!

What is ENO Breathe? 

ENO Breathe is a breathing and wellbeing programme developed for people like me, recovering from Covid-19, delivered by the English National Opera (ENO) in  partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. It helps people achieve some level of normality and cope with anxieties related to breathlessness using singing and breathing techniques. Last I heard, over 1,000 patients have benefited from this programme.

Nearly a year after contracting Covid-19, I still had breathing and breathing related issues. One of the biggest issues being the associated anxiety of where this was all going. After Covid-19, you don’t trust your body as you did before, and this hesitancy brings with it even more anxiety. Something had to help me break the loop...

Attending ENO Breathe programme helped me build the confidence to take small steps forward, as it furnished me with the tools to cope with breathlessness and anxiety, thanks to the breathing and calming exercises.

Not only was the loop broken, I also managed to—with their support—apply those learnings in my everyday life. From a few minutes on an exercise machine to running long distances today, those small steps have culminated in achieving my goal of running a half marathon. I am actually running the Berlin Half Marathon!

And now I would like to give back to the programme who has helped me and so many others.

I have committed to raise £5,000 to support ENO Breathe and I am asking if you would consider joining me in this effort. Your donations will go directly to fund ENO Breathe and allow this programme to reach many other long Covid-19 sufferers. 

Please do take a moment to read below more about ENO Breathe and its wonderful achievements 

To date, ENO Breathe has been funded by donations from ENO Supporters and Members and is welcoming further support. 

What has been achieved so far?

•       1078 patients have completed or are currently completing the programme.

•       69 partnered NHS Post Covid services across England refer patients onto the programme.

Impact data: 
Data collected around self-perceived improvement showed that 

•        81% of participants said that their levels of breathlessness had improved by the end of the programme, with 87% of participants saying that ENO Breathe had a positive impact on their levels of breathlessness. 

•        74% of participants said their levels of anxiety were much better, or a bit better at the end of the programme. 80% said that ENO Breathe had a positive impact on their levels of anxiety.

•        93% of participants said ENO Breathe met their expectations.

ENO Breathe website: https://www.eno.org/eno-breathe/

ENO Breathe on ITV News: https://www.itv.com/news/2021-01-27/and-breathe-how-long-covid-sufferers-are-being-helped-by-a-breathing-programme-run-by-opera-singers

ENO Breathe is recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society Impact Award 2021.