Back on 10th December the news hit the headlines that Asthma UK are to merge with the British Lung Foundation (BLF). It was met online with mixed reviews particularly by fellow asthmatics. I think there was a concern that asthma as a condition might get lost because the BLF covers such a wide range of conditions but this is where the partnership comes in. Asthma UK will still be just that for asthma and the BLF will still very much focus on its conditions. The partnership will mean that some costs can be merged and each charity can release that money approx. £2million each year to go where it matters most- to help us who have lung conditions.
I was a member of Asthma UK in its previous incarnation “The National Asthma Campaign” and was part of the “Junior Asthma Club” (JAC). I remember getting the news that The National Asthma Campaign was to change to Asthma UK and wondering what it would be like. Would the children and young person’s part of AUK be as good as the JAC (bearing in mind to me the perk of the JAC was the balloon, pencil and newsletter you got quarterly as this was pre social media)? Kick Asthma was just as good- if not better, there was a message board and kick asthma residential camps!! When I first heard of the planned partnership I did wonder what this would be mean but have been reassured that it is going to be a good step.
From what I have read so far the following will remain: the nurse helpline, the research programs and the website. The nurse helpline and Whats App service is a huge asset to Asthma UK that really sets them apart from others. I have used the helpline and found the nurses so helpful and reassuring. At first I thought maybe my reason for phoning was stupid but was put at ease and was glad I called and spoke to someone instead of googling!! Things like this will remain.
What benefits other than releasing money will the partnership bring? Due to soaring costs and being a relatively small charity Asthma UK could not sustain running their main office and then satellite offices in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as funding the research and support for those with or affected by asthma. It was a hard time hearing that the satellite offices were to close but this new partnership offers the opportunity for bases to be built in Scotland and Wales again through infrastructure already established by the BLF.
It is a really exciting time and I am really pleased to be involved in so many projects with AUK and separately with the BLF too (I joined their patient involvement group quite a while back). Everyone knows someone who has asthma or lung disease yet both charities are chronically under funded. If only we had the same money that Cancer Research UK or the British Heart Foundation has then we might be able to make headway in conquering lung disease but this partnership is a step forward to save some more money that can go back into helping us.
What is going to happen next?? We will need to watch this space but in the mean time I need to prepare and think about what I am going to do for my first week of The Blow It Away Challenges.
ANONYMOUS-ASTHMA 