Branches & Support Groups - Ataxia UK

Branches And Support Groups

Ataxia UK Branches and Support Groups

Our Support Groups and Branches are what truly make Ataxia UK a nationwide charity. Living with a rare condition can feel isolating, and Ataxia UK aims to reduce that feeling by coordinating a network of groups across the UK, where people affected by ataxia can meet up, socialise, share experiences and advice, or just have a good time.

About Our Groups
Our Support Groups and Branches are set up and run by volunteers who are Friends of the charity. Support Groups tend to be spaces in which members can share support and information, have fun and blow off some steam. Branches are localised bodies of the charity itself, which have a Chair and Treasurer and hold fundraisers throughout the year.

Over 50 Groups and Branches across the UK meet up, socialise, share tips and advice and fundraise; finding solace, support and fun among people who understand their condition. Some meet weekly, others monthly and some just when and where they can. They are always welcoming to new people.

Image showing members of the Dudley Ataxia UK Support Group meeting together
The Dudley Group In Action

How to join/start a group
Ataxia UK is a charity that supports anyone affected by the condition, not just those who have it: family members, friends, partners, children and carers are very welcome to attend. If you want to join a Support Group or Branch, check the regions of the UK below to find one near you, along with their contact details.

Meetings

Many of our groups are running virtual meetings on Zoom during the pandemic, while some are starting to return to in-person meetings. If you'd like to attend, please get in touch with the relevant group leader and they can send you a link to join or venue details. There is even a virtual support group, welcoming members from any area, which meets regularly online. 

November
  • Wednesday 1st November 10:30-12:30 Newcastle (in person)
  • Sunday 5th November 14:00-17:00 West of Scotland (in person)
  • Thursday 9th November 11:00-13:00 Farnham (online)
  • Tuesday 14th November 19:00-20:30 Essex (online)
  • Thursday 16th November 13:00-14:30 Virtual Support Group (online)
  • Saturday 18th November 11:00-13:00 South Cheshire (in person)
  • Saturday 18th November 12:00-15:00 Coventry and Warwickshire (in person)
  • Monday 20th November 14:00-16:00 South Cheshire (online)
  • Wednesday 22nd November 10:00-12:00 Hampshire (online)
  • Tuesday 28th November 19:00-20:30 Episodic ataxia (online)
  • Wednesday 29th November 19:00-20:30 Essex (in person)

December:

  • Sunday 3rd December 15:00-16:30 16-30's (online)
  • Wednesday 6th December 10:30 Newcastle (in person)
  • Thursday 7th December 13:00 Leeds (in person)
  • Friday 8th December 14:00-15:30 Carers Support Group (online)
  • Tuesday 12th December 19:00- 20:30  Essex (online)
  • Wednesday 13th December 18:00-19:30 West Country (online)
  • Thursday 14th December 11:00-13:00 Autoimmune & Gluten Support Group (online)
  • Saturday 16th December 10:30 -12:00 Virtual Support Group (online)
  • Saturday 16th December 11:00-13:00 Dover (in person)
  • Monday 18th December 14:00-16:00 South Cheshire (online)
  • Wednesday 27th December 10:00-12:00 Hampshire (online)
  • Wednesday 27th December 19:00 Essex (in person)

If you want to start a Group or Branch, get in touch with us at volunteering@ataxia.org.uk.

South East

Dover

Clive Nuttall
E: clive.nuttall@btinternet.com
T: 07970 481424

Rainham and Gravesend

Vanessa Bartlett
E: sandv.bartlett@googlemail.com
T: 07701007825

Yvette Loach
E: yvetteloach@hotmail.co.uk
T: 07738 366 433

Essex

Dawn Wooldridge
E: 
tynckas@msn.com
T: 01268 545584 or 07539061075
Read our latest newsletter here 

Farnham

Derek Wood
E: woody1404@live.co.uk 
T: 07776 188 877

Ashford

Stewart Bessant-Smith
E: potter.ss26@gmail.com
T: 07717049747

Thames Valley

Katrina Greville
E: kaworthington1@outlook.com
T: 07909525365

Oxford

Jennifer Davies
E: jensaldav@yahoo.co.uk

East of England

Ataxia East Branch (generally the Peterborough area)

David Stubley
T: 01205 722 771
E: djstubley@aol.com
Read the latest newsletter here

Ipswich & Colchester

We are currently looking for a new volunteer Support Group leader after the wonderful Patsy stepped down after 14 years! Please get in touch with volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you're interested in finding out more information.

While groups are running virtually on Zoom, members from the Ipswich & Colchester area are free to join any of the other Support Group meetings. Please contact volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you'd like to be put in touch with one of the other groups.

West Midlands

Birmingham and Lichfield

Susan Deane
E: susied20045@hotmail.co.uk
T: 0121 7837 858 or 07969465315

Coventry and Warwickshire

Kate French
katecfrench@gmail.com
07866 861632 or 01789 509698

Redditch

Jane Maries
E: 
mattyjam@gmail.com

Sheldon and Birmingham Branch

Susan Deane
E: susied20045@hotmail.co.uk
0121 7837 858

Leicester

Claire Huggett 
chmrh.charjen2@yahoo.com 
T: 01162 848 201
Read our latest newsletter here

Nottinghamshire

We are currently looking for a new volunteer Support Group leader. Please get in touch with volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you're interested in finding out more information.

While groups are running virtually on Zoom, members from the Nottingham area are free to join any of the other Support Group meetings. Please contact volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you'd like to be put in touch with one of the other groups.

Derby

Currently does not have a leader. If you are interested in this role please get in touch with volunteering@ataxia.org.uk 

The South of England

South Downs

We are currently looking for a new volunteer Support Group leader after the wonderful Anneli stepped down after many years! Please get in touch with volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you're interested in finding out more information.

While groups are running virtually on Zoom, members from the South Downs area are free to join any of the other Support Group meetings. Please contact volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you'd like to be put in touch with one of the other groups.

Hampshire

Gina Lawrence
E: 
Gina_Lawrence@btinternet.com

The South West


Bristol

Derek Wood
E: dwood@ataxia.org.uk

Gloucestershire & Worcestershire

This group is currently looking for a leader, if you think this is something you might be interested in please contact volunteering@ataxia.org.uk 


West Country

Becky Downing
E: 
westcountry.ataxia@outlook.com
T: 07773 940 586 or 01392 660 398

St Austell

Ann Truscott
E: 
masontruscott@gmail.com

Yorkshire


Bradford 

Muhammad Shahid
shahid36@gmail.com
07801976665


Leeds

Mark Allen & Phil Jones
mk.allen@sky.com

phil.jones0803@gmail.com
0113 219 1700 or 0777 387 5323


North Yorkshire

Karen & Gavin Dalton
gavinsdalton@aol.com
07730321946


Sheffield

Jonathan Lingard
Email: jlingard@ataxia.org.uk

North East

Newcastle

Beryl Park 
berylpark@hotmail.co.uk
0166 187 1917

East Durham

Philip Whitwell 
philipwhitwell@sky.com
0191 581 9995

North West

Blackpool

Amanda Heyes
aheyes@ataxia.org.uk

 

Morecambe

Karen Martin
0152 483 2536 

piepie1963@gmail.com


Carlisle

Mhairi Jarvie 
mhairijarvie@sky.com
0138 727 9431


South Cheshire

Gemma Sheen 
gemmasheen50@gmail.com
Moira Egan
moiraegan87@gmail.com

 

Manchester

Maddie Clark
maddiefayeclark@gmail.com
0789 668 0080

Scotland

East of Scotland

Peter Dalby
01875820081
lizdalby58@googlemail.com  

Penny Gardner 
penny@ataxia-east-scotland.org.uk  

West of Scotland

Derek Taylor
ataxiaukwestofscotland@gmail.com

Read our latest newsletter here 
Please read our branch leaflet for more information about our group.

In this video members of our West Scotland branch tell us what made them join, but more importantly, what keeps them coming back. 

Ayrshire

Nancy Collins
agnes@colgrafix.com
07483836854

Wales

South Wales

Charlotte Case
xcharl@me.com
OR Ceri Pepper
ceripepper@live.co.uk
07583 211358

North Wales

Jeanne Roberts (Jen) 
07929 181161 
jeannefong@hotmail.com 

Northern Ireland

Belfast

Alex Duncan
0289 187 3592
078869 08011
alexsduncan@hotmail.co.uk

Read our latest newsletter here 

Ataxia UK Virtual Support Group

As most groups are now returning to face-to-face meetings in some form or the other, this group will aim to provide support to our community members who are not able to attend face-to-face meetings and would still like to be a part of a support group.

We usually meet on Zoom once every 4-6 weeks, and we alternate between weekday and weekend meetings. You can find some of the upcoming meeting dates here.

If you would like to join or ask further questions, please email Ed, Jay, and Gemma at ataxiavsg@gmail.com - we look forward to meeting you!

Episodic Ataxia Online Support Group

Dawn Wooldridge

E: tynckas@msn.com
T: 01268 545584 or 07539061075

Click here to see the group

Autoimmune & Gluten Ataxia Support Group

Carol Bullock

E: cbullock@ataxia.org.uk

16-30's Support Group

Gemma Fish

E: gfish@ataxia.org.uk

Our Carers Support Group is next meeting on the 8th of December at 14:00-15:30. We will be joined by our occupational therapy students who will be presenting on carers and occupational therapy.

If you have any questions, please could you send them through to volunteering@ataxia.org.uk 

To register for the meeting, Click Here. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

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