Patient support groups
Contents
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About support groups
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Who can attend
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List of support groups
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Facebook support groups
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Joining support group lists
About patient support groups
Our support groups cover 4 regions across the UK so everyone in the UK has the opportunity to attend.
These peer support groups are somewhere you can openly chat to other members who have similar issues and experiences – people who just ‘get it’. A chance to share hints and tips on managing hypermobility related issues and discuss treatments/therapies.
Each group meeting generally has a theme to start the conversation off and everyone will have their chance to contribute should they wish to. We are happy for people to keep their cameras off or to chat using the chat box if they would prefer, but it is lovely to see and hear as many of you as possible. The idea is to keep the conversation constructive and help each other manage our condition – a safe place to talk with other people who may understand your situation. The monthly themes include things like mental health, crafts, hobbies, occupational therapy, adaptations, pain and fatigue management.
Who can attend?
Regular attendance of our support groups is a benefit for paid members only, however non-members can attend one meeting before joining as a taster to see what they are like. Our group leaders are listed below, just send them an email to arrange an invite.
Please remember, our Group Leaders are volunteers giving their valuable time to organise these events.
List of support groups
All our Group Meetings are listed on the events page, but the groups are listed below:
Support group name | Email | Leader |
|---|---|---|
Midlands | Midlands@hypermobility.org | Wendy and Anne |
South West and Wales | Southandwest@hypermobility.org | Claire and Gemma |
South East and East | Southandeast@hypermobility.org | Karen |
North, Scotland and NI | NorthUK@hypermobility.org | Jenny |
Every few months we run an online national support group meeting, or have craft and chat online catch-ups which are much less formal natters where you can spend an hour doing your favourite craft or just sit and have a cuppa with us and have a chat about anything (doesn’t have to be hypermobility or craft related.)
From time to time, in person events may also be arranged, but these depend on volunteer availability and resources.
For any queries, please contact your group leader (listed above) or the Support Groups Co-Ordinator on supportgroups@hypermobility.org
Our Facebook Support Groups
Each of our support groups have a Facebook Group for you to talk to each other and ask questions outside of meetings. All our Facebook groups are listed in our members area here
Joining support group lists
Joining a group will mean you get more personalised information via email from your Group Leader and regular invitations to the meetings. If you would like to be on the circulation list to receive meeting invites via email for a specific support group, then please selected your preferred group on here - https://www.hypermobility.org/join-a-group
If you have not joined a group but want to attend a meeting, provided you are still a paid member, you will be able to do so using the details on our events page.
Terms and conditions
Group Meetings are a benefit of Hypermobility Syndromes Association (HMSA) membership, and have a focus on supporting each other with hypermobility related issues. By attending the meeting, you are consenting to these terms and conditions.
These meetings are intended for patients and their family members. Please be kind and respectful to members and group leaders otherwise you will be asked to leave the meeting. Continued or serious issues may result in being banned from the HMSA’s support groups.
Please share, participate in discussions or talk about your own experience only as feels appropriate for you.
We do not record these support group meetings but will on occasion ask permission to take a screen shot / photo of the group, you can opt out of this, online, by turning your camera off.
Any tips or advice given in these sessions does not constitute or replace medical, healthcare or other professional advice. Please always seek advice specific to your circumstances from a qualified healthcare, medical, or other relevant professional.
From time to time the Group Leader may bring in speakers, professionals or therapists. Please note their views may not represent the views of the HMSA.
The HMSA and its representatives will not accept, liability for any injury or accident which may be sustained through involvement in these sessions. We suggest individual members participate with caution, considering their own health needs and circumstances.
