A SUPPORT group for hepatitis C sufferers is already celebrating success just two months after it was set up.

The group, Hepatitis C Positive, was the first of its kind to be set up in the town when it was launched by former sufferer Phil Spalding, Swindon Council and The Hepatitis C Trust.

Since it was launched, nearly 15 people have attended each session, with the group meeting bi-weekly.

It has been such a success that the council has said it would be worthwhile if the group could meet every week instead.

Phil, 53, a bass guitarist and former drug addict, said: “It has been going really well.

“It has exceeded all of our expectations, although you can never tell how things like this are going to go.

“There is obviously a need for this in Swindon and I think the authorities have recognised that this is going to be an issue that needs more recognition this year.

“It is a big problem and we want to raise awareness of it, especially among those people who are living risky lifestyles, although not just these people because it can affect anybody.”

Phil was diagnosed with the cancer-causing virus back in 2005, when he checked himself into rehab at Gloucester House in Highworth. He contracted it through the shared use of needles when injecting drugs and endured 48 weeks of immunotherapy – a treatment that uses your body’s own immune system to help fight cancer.

He set up the group to help other sufferers in the town.

“The group is there to support and inform people. We have a lot of people who have been diagnosed, people that maybe haven’t been tested yet but lead quite risky lifestyles and are considering it, and also a lot of partners of those who have hep C who want to find out more information about how they can support their partners.

“We set out to help, support and inform and I think we have achieved that. But we want to attract more people and get the message out to more people.”

Lead GP for inclusion Caroline Baker said: “I would encourage anyone that is hesitant about coming along to the group to come and find out more about it and get the support you need.

“There are no treatment services in Swindon like this so they probably are feeling isolated.”

Chris Stickler, strategic development manager for the Swindon Community Safety Partnership, said: “Since the support group first started a couple of months ago, attendance rates have increased steadily and The Swindon Drug and Alcohol Action Team is very pleased to be supporting the group as it moves from meeting fortnightly to weekly.”

The next meeting takes place on Monday from 6pm at the Broadgreen Community Centre, and weekly from there on.

For more information, visit www.hepctrust.org.uk.