In the previous edition of Airing Pain we explored the pros and cons of taking pain management into the community. This time Paul Evans travels to Powys – the most sparsely populated county in Wales – to see how community pain management works in practice at the programme run by Ystradgynlais Community Hospital.

Course leader Gethin Kemp explains that the community approach makes pain management techniques available to people who are unable to undertake a residential programme. For people whose lives may have been completely taken over by pain the course offers strategies for coping with the emotional fallout, increasing their activity levels through pacing and getting a good night’s sleep.

Participants on the programme Toni and Nia explain what they hope to get from it. We hear from them again at the end of the 8-week course when they reflect on the progress they have made – from learning to communicate more effectively to rediscovering a love of painting.