Carol Davies
Herefordshire
Support in the West Midlands
We are here to support you whether you are looking for peer support or advice from a professional. Below you can find out more about our Specialist Huntington's Disease Advisers and local branch and support groups.
Specialist Huntington's Disease Advisers
Our specialist advisers are experienced and compassionate care management professionals.
They support anyone who needs their help at any stage of the Huntington’s journey. They can help people living with the disease, people at risk of inheriting the disease, family members and carers, and children or young people. They can even advise friends, neighbours, employers and your medical team.
Our Specialist Huntington’s Disease Advisers can help by:
- providing a listening ear, advice and emotional support
- delivering our confidential telephone helpline service
- communicating with medical, health and social care professionals
- working with specialist Huntington’s disease clinics
- advocating for the person with Huntington’s disease to get the best support
- organising and attending local support networks and carers’ group meetings
- providing information resources on symptoms and how to manage them
- connecting younger family members with our Youth Engagement Service - HDYES
- giving support for sensitive end-of-life care
- educating medical, health and social care professionals
Poppy Hill
West Mids Metropolitan County, Birmingham, Dudley, West Bromwich, Sandwell, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Coventry, Warwickshire
Branch and support groups
You can click on each branch and support group to find out more about the groups and where they meet. If you can't see one in your area and you are thinking about setting one up, please email branch@hda.org.uk and we can support you in doing this.
North Staffordshire branch
The North Staffordshire branch of the Huntington’s Disease Association was established in 1993 by volunteers who all had a link with Huntington’s disease. One of the founder members, Sue Tams, continues to be our Chair and other founder members remain active members of the group.
The group strives to help local families across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire affected in some way by Huntington's disease.
In addition to offering support and sharing our knowledge gained through experience of the condition, Sue Tams is also very active within the local health economy helping ensuring that Huntington's disease is considered at meetings to do with such things as reforming and commissioning mental health services.
Where we meet
The Community RoomWhen we meet
Third Wednesday of the month
7:30pm to 9:15pm
Please contact Glenys White or Sue Tams on the below details for further information or if you would like to be met at the front door.
Key contact
Chair: Sue Tams
01782 642905
Secretary: Glenys White
07854735846
northstaffshdabranch@gmail.com
Specialist Huntington's Disease Adviser
Lindsey Hughes
07706338786
Shropshire and Mid Wales branch
Welcome to the Huntington’s Disease Association Shropshire and Mid Wales Branch. We have been offering support and advice to local people affected by Huntington’s disease for over two decades. We aim to advise, support and befriend those in need, and form links with others in the community and, of paramount importance, replace isolation with a sense of belonging.
We welcome people from Shropshire, Mid Wales and any surrounding locations where there is no local branch or support group.
We organise social events and activities, based upon the interests of our branch members, including coffee afternoons and Christmas lunch. We welcome the local Specialist Huntington’s Disease Adviser to our meetings.
Where we meet
Hamar Centre
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, SY3 8HS
When we meet
We meet every two months on the last Thursday of the month between 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
- Thursday 28 November
- Thursday 12 December - Christmas Lunch at 12.30pm on – branch members please contact Joan/Kim to book your place
Key contact
Chair – Joan Brazier
Treasurer – Kim Harris
Tamworth support group
The Huntington's Disease Association Tamworth support group is run by volunteers to provide emotional and practical support to anyone affected by Huntington's disease in the South of Staffordshire and surrounding areas.
The group was set up by four ladies who have different connections to the disease. We meet every six weeks on a Sunday afternoon for an informal cuppa and cake. The meetings offer all the opportunity to share new information and tips on how they have resolved issues they have faced.
We also have 'suggestions’ box to enable attendees to identify topics they would like further information on. This information will be sought between meetings and shared at the next meeting. Health and Social Care professionals will also be invited to future meetings to provide talks on specific topics identified.
Alongside the six weekly support groups we will also be holding fundraising and social events to enable those affected by Huntington’s disease to socialise in a safe and friendly environment.
West Midlands branch
The Huntington's Disease Association West Midlands branch is run by volunteers to provide emotional and practical support to anyone affected by Huntington's disease in the local area.
We have been offering support and advice for over 40 years to local people affected by Huntington’s disease. We have regular support meetings which are very informal and welcoming. The meeting offers the opportunity where people can share tips and ideas of how to deal with issues, they may be facing with their loved ones in a safe kind environment. We welcome the local Specialist Huntington’s Disease Adviser to our meetings.
Types of support we offer
- Health and social care professionals join our meetings to give talks about various topics around Huntington’s disease
- We organise events and social activities to fundraise for Huntington's Disease Association and promote awareness of Huntington’s disease
- Visits to local attractions, organising walks and other events
- We have a Welfare Fund that provides limited emergency help to Huntington's disease families in our area
Where we meet
TouchBase Pears (Sense)
750 Bristol Road
Selly Oak
Birmingham, B29 6NA
When we meet
Meetings take place between 11.00am and 1.30pm.
2025 meeting dates
- Saturday 1 February
- Saturday 22 March
- Saturday 26 April
- Saturday 7 June
- Saturday 6 September
- Saturday 11 October
- Saturday 13 December
Key contact
Secretary: Paula Aubrey
Specialist Huntington's Disease Adviser
Poppy Hill
0121 426 1015
Meetings and events
- Saturday 07 September 2024***
- Saturday 19 October 2024
- Saturday 14 December 2024
These get-togethers are for everyone who has any connection with Huntington’s disease, including, family, friends, carers. We always try to make time to just chat, ask questions and hear about any news from the wider Huntington's community.
We have requested a hot drink for everyone on arrival (snacks are usually on sale in their café, also on the ground floor and adjacent to the library area).
We meet in a room on the ground floor to the left of the Reception desk.
*** This date will be a fundraising and awareness afternoon with some stalls and a variety of table-top games and activities. It will take place at Spitfire House, 10 High Street, Castle Vale, B35 7PR from 1.00pm - 4.00pm.
Getting there
There is a secure car park with ample spaces and controlled by barriers and intercom system - is behind the building and accessed from Selly Wharf, off Elliot Road.
Selly Oak railway station (on the West Midlands Railway Central Line) is only a few yards away; bus stops for the local routes are also nearby.
News
The Solihull branch of Beaverbrooks asked for the donation from the company’s Charitable Trust to be given to the West Midlands branch as a member of staff has a connection with Huntington’s disease. Paula Aubrey, accompanied by Kim Church went along to collect the cheque for £1,600.
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