Our Painfluencers in Action: New Report

Six months after completing Flippin’ Pain’s Painfluencer Programme, health and wellbeing professionals across Tees Valley are making a huge difference to the way persistent pain is understood, discussed and managed in their communities.

A new report exploring the efficacy of the Painfluencer Programme has been published after the Tees Valley cohort re-met in July 2026.

The Painfluencer Programme, which graduated its first Tees Valley cohort in November 2025, is designed to equip professionals with a deeper understanding of modern pain science. Participants came from a range of sectors including public health, social prescribing, physical activity and community wellbeing, but they shared one common experience: persistent pain was a frequent topic in conversations with the people they support.

Now, those lessons are being put into practice in a variety of settings and contexts, many of which are explored in Flippin’ Pain’s new report.

In Redcar & Cleveland, Social Prescriber Katherine and Health & Wellbeing Officer Paula have been delivering community drop-in sessions at South Bank Library. They report that the sessions have attracted a diverse group of attendees, many of whom value not only the pain education but also the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges.

"Even if it’s just a social thing for some people, it’s worth it," said Paula, who has seen participants go on to join other social and movement groups in the area.

For Katherine, one of the biggest benefits of the training has been learning how to communicate more effectively.

“I’ve learnt to not offer too much too soon,” she explained. “Small steps are often the best and least overwhelming start.”

Elsewhere, Specialist Physical Activity Co-ordinator Craig has used his Painfluencer training to support his physical activity programmes, including accessible options such as chair yoga and graded activity sessions. He has witnessed significant improvements in clients’ confidence and self-management.

The training has also helped to spread the message within organisations. Jordan and Jack, Health Co-ordinators at Tees Active, have shared Flippin’ Pain’s six key messages with colleagues, helping to create more consistent and supportive conversations across their team.

“One of the most important aspects of the course is the use of language and terminology when speaking to clients,” said Jack. “It can shape people’s perception of pain.”

The group also identified valuable lessons for future delivery, including the importance of clear referrals, accessible learning materials, leadership support and ongoing supervision.

One message stood out: even brief, informed conversations can make a meaningful difference.

Together, these professionals are helping advance Flippin’ Pain’s mission to change the way people think about, talk about and treat persistent pain, creating positive ripples across communities throughout Tees Valley.