Support & Advice Local Support Groups Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire "Welcome to the Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire support group. We cover a wide geographical area from North Somerset, across Bristol and Bath and into Wiltshire, so we alternate meetings between Bristol/Bath and Swindon. Members say the best thing about the group is meeting people who know exactly how they feel and understand what they are going through. I hope to see you at a meeting soon." What happens at the group? Meetings are informal and new members are always given the chance to tell us their story, if they want to, or to just listen if they prefer. The Swindon meetings are supported by a Trichologist who gives members free advice and cakes! Bristol/Bath meetings are held in a variety of different locations. Activities at our meetings include tea and chat, wig demos and headwear demos. Group dates: Date: Time: Location: Extra Meeting Details: Saturday 13th April 2024 2.30PM Lincombe Barn. Overndale Road, Downend, BS16 2RW Saturday 11th May 2024 2.30pm Holy Cross Church Hall, Chiseldon, Nr Swindon SN4 0PP Saturday 8th June 2024 2.30pm Percy Community Centre, New King Street Bath BA1 2BN Saturday 6th July 2024 2.30pm Lincombe Barn. Overndale Road, Downend, BS16 2RW Saturday 10th August 2024 2.30PM Holy Cross Church Hall, Chiseldon, Nr Swindon SN4 0PP Saturday 14th September 2024 2.30pm Percy Community Centre, New King Street Bath BA1 2BN Saturday 12th October 2024 2.30pm Lincombe Barn. Overndale Road, Downend, BS16 2RW Saturday 9th November 2024 2.30pm Percy Community Centre, New King Street Bath BA1 2BN Saturday 7th December 2024 2.30pm Holy Cross Church Hall, Chiseldon, Nr Swindon SN4 0PP Please contact the group lead prior to attending a meeting so they can plan accordingly. Who can attend: This group is designed for any adult living with or affected by alopecia from the ages of 15 and above. Please note that those age 15-17 must be accompanied by someone age 18 or over. If under the age of 14 and looking for your closest support group please see here for a list of our children and teen groups. Contact details: Sally SmithEmail: [email protected] Sally is happy to answer any questions about the group and provide a listening ear at a time arranged by email. Please be aware that any questions Sally is unable to answer will be sent on to staff at Alopecia UK.The group leads are not professional counsellors but people who have personal experiences with alopecia and, along with members of the support group can help to give insight and advice on living and dealing with alopecia on a day to day basis. Please note that our support group leads are volunteers and do this in their spare time, as such please allow up to a week for replies to emails. Sally's link with alopecia: Sally has been leading the group since 2013, when the founder stepped down and she realised how valuable the group is to her wellbeing. Sally first started losing her hair in 1993 after the birth of her son, and it started with a small patch that grew back. Gradually over the next 15 years, patches came and went, but hair reduced overall. Then her hair stopped growing and the bald patches became greater than ever. A photo taken in December 2010 made her realise that she could no longer cover up the bare patch and she got her first wig. In 2023, inspired by the amazing people she met through AUK, she took the final step in her alopecia journey and went bare headed as much as possible in public. It was initially daunting, but also liberating. If you have any feedback on this support group please consider leaving it here.Alternatively, if you have any Suggestions, Comments, Compliments or Complaints for the charity please do so here.