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.
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.
January
-
Wednesday 1st January 10:30-12:00 Newcastle (in person)
- Saturday 4th January 12:30-15:00 North Yorkshire (in person)
-
Sunday 5th January 14:00-16:00 West of Scotland (in person)
-
Wednesday 8th January 11:00-13:00 Hampshire (online)
- Tuesday 14th January 19:00-20:30 Essex (online)
-
Thursday 16th January 13:00-14:30 Virtual (online)
- Saturday 18th January 11:30-13:30 Rainham and Gravesend (in person)
-
Saturday 18th January 12:00-15:00 Bradford (in person)
-
Saturday 25th January 11:00-12:30 Westcountry (online)
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Saturday 25th January 11:00-13:00 Dover (in person)
-
Monday 27th January 13:30-15:30 South Cheshire (in person)
-
Friday 31st January 12:00-14:00 Blackpool (in person)
February
- Saturday 1st February 12:30-15:00 North Yorkshire (in person)
- Sunday 2nd February 14:00-16:00 West of Scotland (in person)
- Wednesday 5th February 10:30-12:00 Newcastle (in person)
- Thursday 6th February 11:00-13:00 St Austell (in person)
- Saturday 8th February 11:30-13:00 North West London (online)
- Monday 10th February 12:00-14:00 West Midlands (Birmingham) (in person)
-
Tuesday 11th February 14:00-16:00 Leeds (online)
- Tuesday 11th February 19:00-20:30 Essex (online)
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Wednesday 12th February 11:00-13:00 Hampshire (online)
-
Thursday 13th February 11:00-13:00 Autoimmune and Gluten Ataxia (online)
- Thursday 13th February 18:30-20:00 Sheffield (online)
-
Saturday 15th February 10:30-12:00 Virtual (online)
-
Saturday 15th February 12:00-15:00 Bradford (in person)
-
Saturday 15th February 13:00-15:00 East of England (Peterborough) (in person)
- Monday 17th February 14:00-16:00 West Midlands (Lichfield) (in person)
- Wednesday 19th February 19:00-21:00 Oxford (online)
- Saturday 22nd February 11:00-12:30 Westcountry (online)
- Saturday 22nd February 11:00-13:00 Dover (in person)
- Friday 28th February 12:00-14:00 Blackpool (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
East of England
Ataxia East Branch (generally the Peterborough area)
David Stubley
T: 01205 722 771
E: djstubley@aol.com
Read Our 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
We are currently looking for someone to be the support group leader for this group now that the wonderful Kate French has stepped down from the role. Please contact volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you are interested and would like to learn more about the position.
Redditch
Jane Maries
E: mattyjam@gmail.com
Leicester
We are currently looking for someone to be the support group leader for this group now that Claire Huggett has sadly stepped down from the role. Please contact volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you are interested and would like to learn more about the position.
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
Gloucestershire & Worcestershire
We are currently looking for a new leader for this group after the wonderful Marjorie stepped down, if interested please contact volunteering@ataxia.org.uk for more information.
West Country
Becky Downing
E: westcountry.ataxia@outlook.com
T: 07773 940 586 or 01392 660 398
St Austell
Ann Truscott
Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
Karen and Gavin Dalton
gavinsdalton@aol.com
07740349040
Bradford
Muhammad Shahid
shahid36@gmail.com
07801976665
Leeds
Phil Jones
phil.jones0803@gmail.com
07940 169286
Sheffield
Jonathan Lingard
Email: jlingard@ataxia.org.uk
North East
Newcastle
Beryl Park
berylpark@hotmail.co.uk
0166 187 1917
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
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
Penny Gardner
07712895771
pennyjgardner@hotmail.com
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
We are currently looking for a new support group leader to take over this group now that the wonderful Nancy Collins has stepped down from the role. Please get in touch with volunteering@ataxia.org.uk if you would like to learn more about the role.
Wales
South Wales
Ceri Pepper
ceripepper@live.co.uk
07583 211358
North Wales
Jeanne Roberts (Jen)
07929 181161
jeannefong@hotmail.com
Northern Ireland
Belfast
Alex Duncan
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.
Every few meetings we like to start with a discussion about how you are engaging with the NHS. For example, you can let us know if you're a member of your GP's Patient Participation Group, or if you've recently shared the Ataxia UK Medical Guidelines with your NHS healthcare provider.
If you would like to join or ask further questions, please email Ed, Jay, and Gemma at virtualsupportgroup@ataxia.org.uk - we look forward to meeting you!
Episodic Ataxia Support Group
Dawn Wooldridge
E: tynckas@msn.com
T: 01268 545584 or 07539061075
Autoimmune & Gluten Ataxia Support Group
Carol Bullock
E: cbullock@ataxia.org.uk
T: 01344 776547
We are delighted to announce that for our next Autoimmune and Gluten Ataxia meeting on Thursday 12th December, we will be joined by Professor Marios Hadjivassiliou, a consultant neurologist working at one of the specialist ataxia centres.
16-30's Support Group
Gemma Fish
Carers Support Group
Join us for a chance to meet other carers and exchange useful advice on caring for someone with ataxia. Our next meeting will be announced here soon.
If you have any questions, please could you send them through to jcostello@ataxia.org.uk.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Join us for a chance to meet other carers and exchange useful advice on caring for someone with ataxia. Our next meeting will be announced here soon.
If you have any questions, please could you send them through to jcostello@ataxia.org.uk.
Our 16-30's support group is for anyone with ataxia aged between 16 and 30 years old, looking to meet others and make friends.
Find out more about this support group by going to our webpage here
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