“When I was diagnosed with Sjögren’s, I felt completely lost. Having the support of the Sjögren's UK office has been invaluable to me. The helpline operators are so knowledgeable and kind and the local support group has helped me keep positive and make new friends.”

Sjögren’s UK supports a number of groups throughout the UK and hosts a number of regional meetings. Meeting other sufferers can often help relieve the isolation felt by so many people with Sjögren’s. If you are a member of Sjögren’s UK it’s really easy to get started.

You can find your local group contact at the bottom of this page.

Have a coffee morning
or afternoon tea

You choose a date, time and location
and the office will send information
to members within your area

Attend
or start a small group

This is very similar to having a coffee morning or afternoon tea but it gives the opportunity for the members to meet up on a semi regular basis, it also gives members who join Sjögren’s UK at a later date, an opportunity to meet fellow sufferers. The familiarity of the members within the group often means members tend to relax and talk more, leading to many tips and ideas being passed from member to member, also we find that groups can lead to some very firm friendships being made.

What are the benefits of attending a group?

The opportunity for you to share experiences and tips with other members, which is incredibly reassuring and helpful
It gives you the chance to establish new friendships and increase your social circle
A group can be a vital source of information on Sjögren’s, whether it is through guest speakers or just talking with other sufferers
Going to a group helps to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness by the way of mutual help and support and speaking to other sufferers can reduce feelings of anxiety or fear

MAKE A FRIEND SCHEME

Our ‘Make a Friend’ scheme has been really successful and it’s so simple. Once you have told us you’d like to join the scheme, we will contact several members in your area and explain that you are interested in having a chat with someone who lives nearby. We’ll give them your first name and telephone number and they’ll give you a call. It’s then up to you if you’d like to keep in contact by telephone, meet up, or if you’re happy with your initial chat, you might just like to leave it there.

“Make a friend has changed the way I approach Sjögren’s Syndrome as now that I’ve spoken to others, I realise it does not have to take over my life.”

“Thank you for your Make a Friend scheme, it is so nice to talk to someone who fully understands what it’s like to have Sjögren’s Syndrome, family try, but as they do not have it they don’t understand.”

Please note we can only include you in the schemes listed above if you are a member of Sjögren’s UK and have completed and returned the application form, which you can download here. Alternatively why not give us a call or write to us with your contact details.

No Group in Your Area? Let’s Get One Started!

Would you like to connect with others, share experiences, and offer mutual support in your area? Whether you prefer meeting in person — perhaps at a local coffee shop — or connecting virtually through WhatsApp or Zoom, we want to make this process as easy, convenient, and useful as possible. Our regional groups provide a relaxed and welcoming space to share tips, discuss shared interests, and even forge new friendships. If you’re interested in joining, hosting, or co-hosting a group in your area, we’d love to hear from you.

We’ve put together a helpful guide that outlines everything you need to know about starting a group, including the support we can provide along the way.

To register your interest, please contact Latoya:
Latoya – Sjögren’s UK Regional Group Contact
Office: 0121 478 0222
Email: admin@sjogrensuk.org

We look forward to helping you connect with others and building a supportive community right where you are!

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Benefits for joining the Sjögren’s UK:

Providing information and support to those affected by the condition
Distribute a variety of literature including an informative quarterly magazine
Operating a national members' helpline facility
Hosting regular regional meetings throughout the UK
Link members through our ‘make a friend’ scheme
Annual medical meeting with talks from consultants and experts in Sjögren's
Online members forum
Full access to our informative website

UK membership
£30.00

Overseas membership
£35.00