In this episode 21-year-old Chantelle and 18-year-old Elles are talking about their experiences of living with chronic pain conditions. As well as discussing the discrimination they’ve both faced and the realities of navigating the health system, they’re sharing their positivity in the face of challenge, their resilience and their hopes for the future.

“I'm always learning to keep my future open. But I think I'm a bit like you, I just want to be able to do more, I think, to even get to a place where I'm ready to go to work, or I'm ready to have my own family, I think will be amazing. Just knowing that hopefully in 10 years time, I'll be in a better place with my M.E. and I'll be in a better place for dealing with my pain.”

Please take care when listening and if you feel affected by chronic pain or any of the issues discussed in this episode, you can get support from the following places:

Pain UK is an alliance of charities providing a voice for people in pain: painuk.org

Pain Support: painsupport.co.uk/help-advice/medical-consults

NHS’s Live Well webpages: www.nhs.uk/live-well/pain/how-to-get-nhs-help-for-your-pain

In an emergency, dial 999.

P.O.V. is a youth voice programme funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation making space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.