Two local women from Tameside, Jess and Jorja, have joined forces to launch The Chronic Room, a new community group aiming to support people living with chronic pain and invisible illnesses such as endometriosis, ADHD, autism, and other long-term conditions.
Jess Hankinson came up with the idea after realising there was little local support available for people in similar situations. “There’s nowhere around here for people with chronic illness to just be themselves without masking,” she explained. “When you have an invisible illness, you’re often hiding your symptoms or trying to appear fine, even when you’re not.”
After sharing her idea with her friend Jorja, the pair decided to take action. Within weeks, The Chronic Room began taking shape, a space designed to help people connect, share experiences, and find understanding in a judgment-free environment.
Both founders live with endometriosis, a painful condition that often takes years to diagnose. “It took me 18 years to get my diagnosis,” Jess said. “I was told my pain was just part of growing up, that it was normal period pain. At one point, I was even told I needed a psychologist because it was all in my head.”
Jorja’s path to diagnosis was equally challenging. Despite experiencing severe hip and abdominal pain for years, she was repeatedly misdiagnosed. “It wasn’t until last year that a new doctor pushed for the right tests,” she said. “After surgery, they told me it was the worst case they’d seen in 25 years.”
Their stories echo a wider problem: many people with chronic or invisible illnesses struggle to get doctors to take their symptoms seriously. Endometriosis, for example, affects an estimated one in seven women but is only visible through keyhole surgery, making diagnosis especially difficult.
The Chronic Room aims to bridge that gap by offering understanding and advice where medical systems often fall short. The group welcomes anyone, male or female, who lives with a chronic condition or supports someone who does.
“We want people to feel heard,” said Jorja. “If someone comes to us with early symptoms and feels ignored, we’ll help them figure out next steps and give guidance on how to advocate for themselves.”
The first meeting will take place on 21 February at Studio 18, owned by local businesswoman Samantha Gill, opposite St Stephen C Of E Church in Tameside. The sessions will run once a month for three months as a pilot programme.
Participation is free, and the founders are self-funding the sessions to make them accessible to everyone. Twelve tickets are available for the initial meetings, and more than half have already been claimed within the first week of promotion.
“We’ve also created a suggestion box so people can help shape future sessions,” Jess added. “We want everyone to feel like it’s their space, a place they truly belong.”
Finding Strength in Community
Living with a chronic illness can be isolating, but initiatives like The Chronic Room aim to prove that no one has to face it alone. “You can’t see pain, and that’s part of the problem,” Jess said. “But having a space where you’re understood makes all the difference.”
Anyone interested in joining The Chronic Room or learning more can find the group on Instagram or Facebook, or reach out via email. Those who prefer to stay anonymous can also post questions privately on the group’s social channels.
As Jess and Jorja put it, “If we can help even one person feel less alone, it will all be worth it.”
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1398202631897763
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