The Self-Help Shropshire partnership (SHS) is marking National Self-Care Week by promoting a new directory of support groups across the county.

These groups help people with long-term medical conditions and other issues to better manage their health and improve their quality of life.

The SHS encourages self-care so that more people with chronic conditions can stay living at home and leading as normal a life as possible.

Self-care is about understanding a long-term condition and how to live with it. This includes keeping fit and healthy, knowing how to take medicines, treat minor ailments and seek help when necessary.

To mark National Self-Care Week, which runs until 20 November, advisers will be on hand in the main reception area of the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Thursday, 17 November from 10am to 2pm to provide information about self-help groups in local areas.

SHS has put all the self-help group information in one place on the internet to make it easier for people to find support close to home. To access the directory, click here.

Anyone thinking of starting a new support group or who wants advice about their existing group should contact Oswestry Community Action.

Karin Dawson, Shropshire County Primary Care Trust's programme manager for health in later life, said: "Every year during Self-Care Week, we encourage people to take a moment out of their busy schedules and find out about the range of NHS and local support available to help them achieve their health goals or manage any existing health conditions.

"This year we are very proud to be one of many organisations which have helped put together a directory of local support groups. These groups are normally run by patients who have first-hand experience of living with medical conditions. By knowing what it is like to live with a long-term condition, they can help offer friendly advice and support to other people and share their experiences."

The Self-Help Shropshire Directory has been produced by Shropshire County PCT and NHS Telford and Wrekin in partnership with Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Care Information Providers, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital and Shropshire and Staffordshire NHS Trust, along with Self-Help Nottingham.