Support Groups

Virtual Support Groups

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, all face-to-face support groups run by British Liver Trust are currently suspended. However we have launched a programme of virtual support groups via the online platform Zoom.

These have been very popular as an alternative to the face-to-face meetings that cannot take place at present. If you would like to attend a virtual group, please follow this link Virtual support group registration – we look forward to ‘seeing’ you soon!

Many patients and families affected by a liver condition find it helpful to speak to others and share experiences. Meeting face to face can really help and the British Liver Trust facilitates groups across the UK. These groups can be a real lifeline.

Groups included here are either British Liver Trust groups or other charity support groups which offer help. Groups may be disease specific or offer more general liver patient and family support.

Groups in Scotland and Wales are led by British Liver Trust staff; other groups are led by volunteers, either healthcare professionals or those with personal experience of a liver condition.

If you are connected with a group you would like to include on the website, or to change any information about your group, please email info@britishlivertrust.org.uk.

Note: if you cannot find the support you are looking for here then please try visiting our 'Useful Links' section for details of other organisations that may be able to help

Can I say how much we enjoyed the meeting tonight. So good to hear other people's problems and know that you are not alone. Thank you again and we will definitely be at the next meeting.

Jackie, living with AIH

In this section

• Find a group by location
  
• Find a group by liver condition
  
• Helpline and online community
  
• Practical support
  
• Patient stories
  
• Helpful information and resources
  

Find a group by location

Find a support group in the list below according to an area of the country. There are also a number of national groups and organisations who cover all regions/areas.

National groups - cover all areas

AIH Support

Online forum for anyone affected by AIH
Ann Brownlee
www.aihsupport.org.uk
admin@aihsupport.org.uk

Alpha 1 UK Support and Awareness group

Online forum, information and support for anyone affected by Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency.
www.alpha1.org.uk
info@alpha1.org.uk

AMMF

Charity and online support forum for anyone affected by Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Provide information for patient and families, and support through an online forum.

http://ammf.org.uk/forum/

Club Soda

An organisation that provides a blog, events and courses to support people to change their drinking habits.
https://www.joinclubsoda.co.uk
laura@joinclubsoda.co.uk

Haemochromatosis UK

www.haemochromatosis.org.uk
office@huk.org.uk
helpline@huk.org.uk
Advice line: 03030 401102

Hep C Trust

The Hepatitis C Trust no longer run support groups but have a UK national helpline, staffed solely by people who have had experience of living with hepatitis C.   They are open from Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 4.30pm, on 020 7089 6221 or by email to helpline@hepctrust.org.uk

In addition to this, they also run a Freephone national helpline specifically for prisoners to access information and support on 0800 999 2052

Office: 020 7089 6220
Email: admin@hepctrust.org.uk
Website:  www.hepctrust.org.uk/support

Hepatitis B Positive Trust

Website and information line for people with Hepatitis B
www.hepbpositive.org.uk
0800 206 1899

ICP Support

Provides support and information on ICP via moderated social media groups and a telephone support line.
www.icpsupport.org
supportline@icpsupport.org

Liver Transplant Online Support UK

Online group offering peer to peer support for anyone pre or post liver transplant.
www.facebook.com/groups/livertransplantonlinesupportgroupuk/

PBC Foundation

PBC Foundation
www.pbcfoundation.org.uk
info@pbcfoundation.org.uk
0131 556 6811

PSC Support

Information, research and support for anyone affected by PSC
www.pscsupport.org.uk
info@pscsupport.org.uk
Helpline: 01235 253545

Soberistas

Articles, chatroom, life stories and information on alcohol reduction. Membership fee may be required.
www.soberistas.com
enquiries@soberistas.com

Wilson’s Disease Support

Valerie Wheater
www.wilsonsdisease.org.uk
val@wilsonsdisease.org.uk
01233 364982

East Anglia

Addenbrookes Liver Transplant Association (ALTA)

www.alta.org.uk
info@alta.org.uk

Basildon & Thurrock Liver Support

Please call 01268 593078 for further information

Essex Liver Support

Informal support by phone and email:
Debbie Eady
deb.eady@ntlworld.com
essex.liversupport@ntlworld.com
01799 501869

Norfolk & Norwich Liver Support

Group meets bi-monthly at the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital, Jack Prior Unit, Room 25, Level 3.
Marjorie Dingle
marjorie.dingle@hotmail.com
01362 695624

Southend Hepatitis C Peer Support

A CRI Gateway service meets every Friday at 2pm.
Nick
sajid.mahmood@cri.org.uk
01702 613392

East midlands

Grantham Addaction

www.addaction.org.uk/lincolnshire
grantham@addaction.org.uk

London

Hep C Trust

The Hepatitis C Trust no longer run support groups but have a UK national helpline, staffed solely by people who have had experience of living with hepatitis C.   They are open from Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 4.30pm, on 020 7089 6221 or by email to helpline@hepctrust.org.uk

In addition to this, they also run a Freephone national helpline specifically for prisoners to access information and support on 0800 999 2052

Office: 020 7089 6220
Email: admin@hepctrust.org.uk
Website:  www.hepctrust.org.uk/support

LISTEN Support Group

The Group is for all those listed for transplant or post transplant at Kings College Hospital London. Meetings take place from 2pm to 4pm, on the third Monday of every month in the Liver Seminar Room (located in the Institute of Liver Studies, 2^nd floor Cheyne Wing, Kings College Hospital). Meetings include a talk on a special topic for 30-45 minutes followed by general discussion and sharing of experiences.
Paul McKie
paul.mckie@nhs.net

North east

LIVErNORTH

Adult Liver patient support group and charity for all liver conditions based at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Joan Bedlington
www.livernorth.org.uk
info@livernorth.org.uk
0191 3702961

North west

Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Haemochromatosis Support Group

Marguerite Smith
www.haemochromatosisblackpool.org.uk
margueritesmith@blueyonder.co.uk
0776 804 2802

Manchester Royal Infirmary Liver Patients Support

The group meets on a Thursday morning at MRI in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & GI Investigations.
Esther Pears
Esther.Pears@mft.nhs.uk
0161 276 8772

R-Space Recovery Group Liverpool

R-Space aims to help people find recovery in Merseyside and the surrounding areas by providing regular meetings, activities and one to one support.

Meetings are held in north Liverpool (L11) and south Liverpool (L18)

www.facebook.com/R-Space

SOS Cancer Support

Meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from January 2018 at Cancer Care, Slynedales, Slyne Road, Lancaster LA2 6ST. Supports patients and carers with personal experience of stomach, oesophageal, liver or pancreatic cancers in the Morecambe Bay area.

Phil Carey
Ian and Jinty Hay
http://www.sos-cancersupport.uk/
ian@sos-cancersupport.uk

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Transplant Association

Information and support for Transplantees living in Northern Ireland.
www.nitransplant.org
07926 060491

Royal Victoria Hospital Liver Support

Donald Cairnduff
www.rvhliversupportgroup.org
dcairnduff@msn.com
07701 029347

Scotland

Aberdeen Liver Support

This group is open to anyone, patients and family members affected by any liver condition. Meets 3 times per year from 11am-1pm at The Copthorne Hotel, Huntly Street, Aberdeen AB10 1TE.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Ayr Liver Support

This group is open to anyone, patients and family members affected by any liver condition. Group meets quarterly in Ayr. Contact us for more information.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Dundee Liver Support

This group is open to anyone, patients or family members affected by any liver condition. The group runs quarterly from 4-6pm in Dundee Carers Centre, Seagate House, 132-134 Seagate, Dundee  DD1 2HB.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Edinburgh Capital C Group

This group offers support to individuals living with Hepatitis C and their affected family members. Runs quarterly from 12-2pm at the Holiday Inn Express, Royal Mile, Edinburgh 300 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1NA. Contact us for more information.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Edinburgh General Liver Support

This group is open to anyone, patients and family members affected by any liver condition. Meets quarterly at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Edinburgh Genetic/Autoimmune Liver Support

This group is open to anyone affected by a rare, genetic or autoimmune liver condition and is open to patients and family members. Meets quarterly from 6-8pm in the Holiday Inn Express, Royal Mile, Edinburgh 300 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1NA.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Edinburgh Pre & Post Liver Transplant Support

This group is for pre and post liver transplant support and is open to patients and family members affected by transplant. The group is co facilitated by the social work team based in the liver transplant unit. The group meets six weekly from 9.30am-1pm in OPD 4, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, 51 Lttle france Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Forth Valley Liver Support

This group is open to all patients, carers and family members affected by any liver condition. This group runs quarterly in Falkirk. Contact us for more information.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Glasgow Pre & Post Transplant Liver Transplant Support

This group is a pre and post liver transplant support group and open to patients and family members affected by liver transplant. The group meets from 12-2pm in the Liver Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Glasgow Genetic/Autoimmune Liver Condition Support

This group is open to patients, family members and carers affected by a rare, genetic or autoimmune liver condition. The group runs quarterly from 6-8pm at: Double Tree Hilton, 36 Cambridge Street, Glasgow G2 3HN.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Glasgow Hepatitis C Support

This group offers support to individuals living with Hepatitis C and their affected family members. It is co facilitated with Waverley Care and is held monthly at Waverley Care, 12 Queens Crescent, Glasgow, G4 9AS.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Inverness Liver Support

This group is open to anyone, patients and family members affected by any liver condition. Group runs twice per year. Contact us for more details.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Paisley Liver Support

This group is open to anyone, patients and family members affected by
any liver condition. Contact us for more
details.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Renfrewshire Pre & Post Liver Transplant Support

This group is a patient led support group for pre and post liver transplant patients, their carers and family members. Meets quarterly in February, May, August and November from 12-2pm in Paisley Abbey, 575 cotton Street, PA1 1JG.

Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

South east

Berkshire HealthMakers

Berkshire HealthMakers aim to help people better manage their long term health condition and improve quality of life through their six week self-management courses which run throughout the year. Courses are available to anyone living with a long term health condition in East Berkshire (Ascot, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Sandhurst, Slough and Windsor) area.

www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
https://www.facebook.com/HealthmakersUK/

West Sussex Support

Support for patients, family and friends affected by any liver condition. The group meets regularly in Chichester, email Jim Cullen for details:
cullen54march@gmail.com

Worthing Hep C Women’s Support

Meets regularly in Worthing, covering Brighton and West Sussex. Contact  for details:
Hepatitis Nurse Specialist Sophie Costello
sophie.costello@bsuh.nhs.uk

South west

Bath Community Liver Support

Meets on the 3rd Monday of the month (except bank holidays) from 6.30pm in Gastroenterology Department waiting area, Ward B57, Royal United Hospital Bath, BA1 3NG.
Sara Gardner
Fiona Ladd
Claire Weaver
Charlotte Inwood

ruh-tr.hepatology@nhs.net
https://www.facebook.com/groups/532689996843485/

Cornwall Liver Support

Meets on the 4th Monday of the month 12-1.30pm at Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro TR1 3DH.
Carol Kavanagh
carolkav55@gmail.com
Facebook group (Liver-ish Allsorts):  https://www.facebook.com/groups/559485634168975/

Exeter Liver Support

Meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Medical Outpatients Department at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.
Jim Baker
jimbaker87@gmail.com
01363 773807 / 07840 737 439
Facebook group available: http://www.facebook.com/groups

/exeter.liversupport/

Plymouth Friends of Liver Lifeline

Email and telephone support
sheilaconnolly1@mail.com
01752 934942

Torquay Hep C support

Group not currently running but some support is available at Torbay Hospital. If you need support or are interested in forming a support group in this area please contact support@britishlivertrust.org.uk

West midlands

Queen Elizabeth Liver Patients Support

Meets at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
Alan Hyde
liversupport@blueyonder.co.uk
www.uhblsg.org.uk
01902 679333

Yorkshire

St James’s Liver Transplant Support

Janet Atherton
www.stjamesltsg.org
athertonjanet@aol.com
07864 521213

Wales

Bangor Liver Support

British Liver Trust in Wales support group for those affected by liver disease (and their families and carers).

Please contact us for more information.
Julie Adams
julie.adams@britishlivertrust.org.uk or wales@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Cardiff Liver Support

British Liver Trust in Wales support group for those affected by liver disease (and their families and carers).

It takes place at The Jubilee Room at The Sports and Social Club, Heath Park Way, University Hospital of Wales CF14 4XW.

Contact wales@britishlivertrust.org.uk for further information.

Gwent Liver Support

Group providing ongoing support for patients, relatives and carers of those living with liver disease in the local area. Come along and meet the team, learn about available services and chat to others affected by liver disease.

Meet each month in The Chapel, St Woolos Hospital, Newport NP20 4SZ from 6:30pm. Email us for upcoming meeting dates: LiverNurseAdviceLine.ABB@wales.nhs.uk.

No need to book – just come along and meet the team, learn about available services and chat to others affected by liver disease.

Llandudno Liver Support

British Liver Trust in Wales support group for those affected by liver disease (and their families and carers).

Meets in Llandudno General Hospital, Hospital Road, Llandudno LL30 1LB.  Please contact us for more information.
Julie Adams
julie.adams@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Llanelli Liver Support

Support group for anyone living with or affected by liver disease. Meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 1pm to 3pm at Llanelli Fire Station, Corporation Avenue, SA15 3PF

Sarah Lowther
sarah.lowther@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Swansea Liver Support

British Liver Trust in Wales support group for those affected by alcohol related liver disease.

Meets every third Tuesday of the month from 12-2pm at the Barod Office, 73 Mansel Street, Swansea SA1 5TR.

Booking essential, please contact us for more information.
Sarah Lowther
sarah.lowther@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Find a group by liver condition

Check the list below to find a group by specific condition. If you cannot find your condition in the list then there are groups that support those with any liver condition.

Any/all liver conditions

Alcohol related

Forth Valley Liver Support

This group is open to all patients, carers and family members affected by any liver condition. This group runs quarterly in Falkirk. Contact us for more information.
Amy Caffrey
07824 056686
amy.caffrey@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Club Soda

An organisation that provides a blog, events and courses to support people to change their drinking habits.
https://www.joinclubsoda.co.uk
laura@joinclubsoda.co.uk

R-Space Recovery Group Liverpool

R-Space aims to help people find recovery in Merseyside and the surrounding areas by providing regular meetings, activities and one to one support.

Meetings are held in north Liverpool (L11) and south Liverpool (L18)

r-spacegroup@outlook.com www.facebook.com/R-Space

Soberistas

Articles, chatroom, life stories and information on alcohol reduction. Membership fee may be required.
www.soberistas.com
enquiries@soberistas.com

Swansea Liver Support

British Liver Trust in Wales support group for those affected by alcohol related liver disease.

Meets every third Tuesday of the month from 12-2pm at the Barod Office, 73 Mansel Street, Swansea SA1 5TR.

Booking essential, please contact us for more information.
Sarah Lowther
sarah.lowther@britishlivertrust.org.uk

Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)

Cancer

Haemochromatosis

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)

Transplant

Wilson's disease