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.
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.Â
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 15:00-16:30Â 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 Â Essex (online)
- Wednesday 13th December 18:00-19:30Â West Country (online)
- Thursday 14th December 11:00-13:00Â Autoimmune & Gluten Support Group (online)
- Saturday 16th December 10:30 -12:00 Virtual Support Group (online)
- Saturday 16th December 11:00-13:00Â 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:Â sandv.bartlett@googlemail.com
T:Â 07701007825
Yvette Loach
E:Â yvetteloach@hotmail.co.uk
T: 07738 366 433
Essex
Dawn Wooldridge
E:Â tynckas@msn.com
T: 01268 545584 or 07539061075
Read our latest newsletter hereÂ
Farnham
Derek Wood
E:Â woody1404@live.co.ukÂ
T: 07776 188 877
Ashford
Stewart Bessant-Smith
E:Â potter.ss26@gmail.com
T: 07717049747
Thames Valley
Katrina Greville
E: kaworthington1@outlook.com
T: 07909525365
Oxford
Jennifer Davies
E:Â jensaldav@yahoo.co.uk
East of England
Ataxia East Branch (generally the Peterborough area)
David Stubley
T: 01205 722 771
E:Â 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:Â 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:Â mattyjam@gmail.com
Sheldon and Birmingham Branch
Susan Deane
E:Â susied20045@hotmail.co.uk
0121 7837 858
Leicester
Claire HuggettÂ
chmrh.charjen2@yahoo.comÂ
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.ukÂ
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:Â 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.ukÂ
West Country
Becky Downing
E:Â westcountry.ataxia@outlook.com
T: 07773 940 586 or 01392 660 398
St Austell
Ann Truscott
E:Â masontruscott@gmail.com
Yorkshire
BradfordÂ
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 ParkÂ
berylpark@hotmail.co.uk
0166 187 1917
East Durham
Philip WhitwellÂ
philipwhitwell@sky.com
0191 581 9995
North West
Blackpool
Amanda Heyes
aheyes@ataxia.org.uk
Â
Morecambe
Karen Martin
0152 483 2536Â
piepie1963@gmail.com
Carlisle
Mhairi JarvieÂ
mhairijarvie@sky.com
0138 727 9431
South Cheshire
Gemma SheenÂ
gemmasheen50@gmail.com
Moira Egan
moiraegan87@gmail.com
Â
Manchester
Maddie Clark
maddiefayeclark@gmail.com
0789 668 0080
London North West
Talita Banoori
ataxiauknwlondonchairperson@btinternet.com
Contact form
07940166672
See the latest goings on here or visit the group's website here
South London
Tim Kahn
1timkahn@gmail.com
07903 599104
Scotland
East of Scotland
Peter Dalby
01875820081
lizdalby58@googlemail.com Â
Penny GardnerÂ
penny@ataxia-east-scotland.org.uk Â
West of Scotland
Derek Taylor
ataxiaukwestofscotland@gmail.com
Read our latest newsletter hereÂ
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.Â
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)Â
07929 181161Â
jeannefong@hotmail.comÂ
Northern Ireland
Belfast
Alex Duncan
0289 187 3592
078869 08011
alexsduncan@hotmail.co.uk
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:Â tynckas@msn.com
T: 01268 545584 or 07539061075
Autoimmune & Gluten Ataxia Support Group
Carol Bullock
16-30's Support Group
Gemma Fish
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.ukÂ
To register for the meeting, Click Here.Â
We look forward to seeing you there!
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