Local Eczema Support Groups
The list below contains support groups who have asked for their activities to be mentioned by the National Eczema Society. All support groups are run independently of the National Eczema Society and we have no control over content of meetings or speakers invited.
Please be aware that support groups can open and close without organisers informing the National Eczema Society
Belfast support group: an informal support network that offers people affected by eczema the chance to keep in touch.
The Irish Eczema Society: parents and healthcare professionals who wish to provide support and information for people with eczema, and their carers, in the Republic of Ireland.
Eczema Scotland was formed to promote the work of the Society in Scotland, and it is recognised as a charity by the Inland Revenue in Scotland.
For details, write to Chairman Anne Smith or Vice-chairman Barbara Page at: Eczema Scotland c/o 14 Hanover Court, North Street, Glenrothes, Fife KY7 5SB or email them at: eczemascotland@eczema.org
Oban support group: known as the parent eczema support team (PEST), the group meets at Lorn and Islands District General Hospital. Speakers are invited to meetings; all welcome.
For details, phone Jane Sayer on (01631) 720448, or email: j.sayer@tiscali.co.uk
Fife support group: set up by Sue Evans, group is known as LUCIE – Learning Understanding Coping with Eczema – after Sue’s daughter Lucie. The group offers a combination of informal get-togethers and meetings with invited speakers, and it is working closely with local healthcare professionals. They meet at Kingseat Community Centre, Main Street, Kingseat, Dunfermline.
To find out more, phone Sue on (01383) 727153 or email: suzy.evans@btconnect.com
Lothian eczema support group: meets at the Dermatology Department, Lauriston Building in Edinburgh. The group offers a combination of meetings and social events.
Contact Sister Anne Smith on 0131-536 2040 (during working hours) or email rsinnes@btopenworld.com for further details.
Newport support group: a member of the Society’s professional membership scheme, David Reardon has had eczema since he was born and has set up this group to be a meeting place where people of all ages can share their experiences as well as useful hints and tips.
For more information, please contact David on 07879 415256 or email him at: taff1981@hotmail.com
Bradford and district eczema group: working together with the Bradford Psoriasis Association support group, provides a quarterly opportunity for anyone whose life is touched by eczema or psoriasis to meet and to learn from each other. The group aims to secure a professional speaker for each meeting, covering topics from complementary treatments to conventional and practical tips.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 July at St Luke's Hospital in Bradford — the speaker has yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile the group has set the date for their annual coffee morning fundraising extravaganza, which will be held on Saturday 14 July from 10.00am to 12.00 noon at the home of co-organiser Suzanne Johns in Gomersal. Suzanne said: ‘We usually have a superb offering of bric-a-brac stalls, plant stalls and the most enviable cake stall in the whole of Yorkshire! All items that could be sold on the day would be very happily received in the run-up to the event, as all funds raised will be split equally between the Psoriasis Association and the National Eczema Society.’
For further details or to talk to a group member, phone Suzanne Johns on (01274) 870420 (early evenings) or Bettie Wraith on (01274) 670225.
Teesside eczema support group: meets on the last Wednesday every 3 months between 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm at Dermatology Outpatient Department, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. For all ages and with a variety of speakers.
For more details, phone Sister Barbara Mohan on (01642) 854722 (daytime).
The National Eczema Society's regional project in the north west has a team of five people to support the region as well as approximately 60 key volunteers, all of whom are affected by eczema – either as a patient, carer, health or education professional. However, we are always looking for new recruits! If you want to know more about our work in the north west, phone Jane Morgan, Roy Jones or Kathryn Humphries on (01925) 766877, or email: jane.eczema@virgin.net
New Blackburn support group: Set up by Yasmin Yakoob, the group is an opportunity for parents, carers and eczema sufferers to meet others in a friendly atmosphere and share experiences, information and tips. Guest speakers will attend some sessions.
The group will meet on the first Wednesday of each month from 9.30 to 11.30 am at Audley & Queens Park Children’s Centre, Chester Street site (Audley Sports and Community Centre). The next meetings will be held on 6 June and 4 July.
For more information, please contact Parveen Awan at the Carers Centre on 01254 688 440 or Audley & Queens Park Children’s Centre on (01254) 507750.
Liverpool support group: meets three times a year in January, May and September on the third Tuesday of the month at Allerton Library. The meetings are an opportunity to meet like-minded people and share ideas.
Phone Mike Birch (evenings) on 0151-722 6265 to learn more about the group.
Stockport group: meets regularly at Shaw Heath Health Centre, Gilmore Street, Shaw Heath, Stockport. Some meetings are with invited speakers, others informal discussion groups providing the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences. Informal meetings also attended by local healthcare professionals. Adults with eczema, carers and parents of children, and healthcare professionals are all welcome.
To contact the group, phone Martina Cox on 0161-445 4532 (evenings).
Derby eczema self-help group: this group works to support the Society and people with eczema by holding regular information stands in local hospitals and at events in the area. They also fundraise for the Society, in particular selling NES Christmas cards. If you can help, please get in touch as they need volunteers. The group still collects aluminium cans and foil to exchange for cash.
For details, or if you can help to promote the group locally, phone Sue Baker on (01332) 513645 or email her at: ssbaker1@ntlworld.com
Lincoln and area: no current support group but local member is willing to provide information and details about the Society.
For details, phone Laura Devaney on (01522) 545500.
Nottingham Support Group for Carers of Children with Eczema: a well-established and lively group for carers of children with eczema. Meets on second Wednesday of odd months, from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm, at Children’s Outpatients Department, Queen’s Medical Centre, with professional speakers on a wide variety of topics.
The group’s next meeting will take place on 4 July instead of its normal second Wednesday slot, due to long-standing professional commitments. This move is for July only. At this meeting, Dr Carsten Fleur and Dr Kim Thomas will talk about parasites and allergic diseases.
For further details, phone Amanda Roberts on 0115-926 9996 (any time) or visit the group’s website: www.nottinghameczema.org.uk
Birmingham adults’ support group: meets every 2 months, on Saturday afternoons at 2.00 pm; an informal, friendly group of adults with eczema who can give each other mutual support. The group is always looking for younger people to join so, if you are over 16 and would like to join them, please get in touch.
The group’s next meetings will take place on 23 June, 15 September and 1 December at the Friends Meeting House, 40 Bull Street, Birmingham.
For further information, phone Nansi Foster on 0121-353 5963 (any time).
Kaleidoscope eczema group, Oxford: meets in the child-friendly Kaleidoscope Centre, Kidlington, on the first Saturday of the month. Most members are families with children with eczema. The group’s approach is very informal. Speakers are invited to some meetings; group members also welcome the opportunity simply to talk to others with eczema, and their families.
For more details, phone Gill Brain on (01865) 370471.
Cheltenham group: Meetings are open to anyone who has eczema or who cares for someone with the condition. We are an informal, small group of all ages and welcome new members and visitors. There is no fee, apart from a suggested donation of £1 per meeting to cover costs. Any profit goes to the National Eczema Society. We offer an opportunity to find out more about eczema, through speakers, leaflets and chatting with other members. Meetings are held at the Prestbury Centre, Prestbury Road, Cheltenham, and start at 7.30 pm.
Planned events in 2007 include: 11 June, Charity 10-pin bowling; 10 July, Open meeting; 16 October, Chinese medicine and acupuncture with Dr Wang; and 1 December, Christmas market stall, Cheltenham Promenade, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, donations of goods and helpers needed.
For further details, or if you can help with the Christmas market stall, phone Wendy Price on (01242) 523534.
Essex support group: based in Upminster, the group is primarily for parents of children with eczema (children welcome at meetings). The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month, starting at 3.00 pm at the Upminster Clinic, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster.
For more information, phone (01708) 796166 (daytime), and leave a message for Jill Mead.
Swindon support group: This group has been set up by Rachel Uzzell, a sufferer herself and a mother to three young boys, two of whom have eczema. She hopes the group will provide additional support for children and families who deal with eczema everyday. The group will meet every other month on the third Wednesday at the Westrop Primary School Bungalow, Highworth, at 6.30 pm.
For further information, please contact Rachel on (01793) 764782 or email: racheluzzell@aol.com
For more information, phone Marie Retzback, dermatology clinical nurse specialist, on (01284) 712646 (daytime).
Cambridge support group: Charlotte Ash, whose 6-year-old daughter has had eczema since she was 18 months old, is setting up a group in Cambridge. She wants the group to have a fun, element especially for children and plans regular social events such as picnics in the park.
If you are interested, please contact Charlotte on 07790 352489 or email: charlotte.ash@ntlworld.com
Norfolk and Norwich children's eczema support group: meets every three months outside school time. The group is aimed at giving children a chance to play together as well as offering parents support and a chance to share experiences and information. Further meetings are planned for: Saturday 30 June, from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, for a picnic at Eaton Park; and Sunday 23 September, from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, at 203 St Faiths Road, Old Catton, Norwich, Norfolk NR6 7AQ.
For more information, phone Ann Starkie on (01603) 810569, email: ann.starkie@virgin.net or call Deborah Martins on (01603) 417608.
Bideford support group: this group aims to give families with eczema the chance to share information. Adults also welcome.
For more information, phone Lynsey Southern on (01237) 424805 or email her at: lynsey_southern@dsl.pipex.com
Bristol : Anyone in the local area wanting advice or with any questions regarding eczema can contact dermatology nurse Jackie Dark for further information.
For details, phone Jackie Dark on 0117-944 9786 – this is an NHS number, so explain clearly that you are calling about the National Eczema Society. Alternatively, you can contact the dermatology administrator Karen Jenkins at: Karen.jenkins@nhs.net
Torquay support group: meets every two months at the Suella Dance Centre, 2 Old Mill Lane, Chelston, Torquay.
For more information, phone Sue Hadley on (01803) 605469.
North London dermatology support group: meets on last Thursday of every month, from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at Whittington Hospital, Highgate Hill, London N19. All welcome.
For more details, phone dermatology nurse Lucy Reeves on 07699 705445 (daytime).
Haywards Heath support group: this is a very active group that holds events and attends events held by others in their area to help provide local support and awareness. They also fundraise for the Society.
To find out more about the group, phone Christine Clark on (01444) 451056 or Nicola Coughlin on (01444) 457687, or visit their website: www.communigate.co.uk/sussex/eczema
West Surrey and North-east Hants group: this group’s principal activity is to support the NES, especially through local fundraising. Events arranged in 2007 are:
On Saturday 30 June the group will be setting up stall again, near the top of the High Street, Guildford, as part of the annual Guildford Festival Market. We will have information about eczema and the Society, as well as selling second-hand books, plants, new cards and stationery, and other goodies. Donations of good books welcome and help on the day even more welcome! If you can help in any way, please contact Vicky Robinson.
For further information, phone Vicky on (01483) 567668 (daytime) or (01483) 827668 (evenings).
Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield support group: this group has been set up for parents, carers of children and young people who suffer with eczema. The group will meet on the last Friday of every month from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm at the Parkway Clinic, Welwyn Garden City, everyone welcome.
If you run a local support group, please get in touch with us, as we would like to include your details on these pages.
All support groups are run by volunteers. Some, but not all, have support/facilitation by healthcare professionals. The groups offer an opportunity to share common ground, information and experience. They are not a forum or substitute for medical advice.
The National Eczema Society does not seek to control support groups and is not responsible for them, nor will the views of groups necessarily reflect those of the Society.