SUPPORT GROUPS

SUPPORT GROUPS

The value of meeting other people who share a common interest with you is demonstrated in all aspects of life, even more so when it relates to a health matter. It’s reassuring to meet others who’ve gone through the same experiences as you, to share and learn from each other.

 

www.bariatriccookery.com believes that patient support groups are an essential part of any obesity surgery programme and works closely with charities and other groups to establish and run a national network of patient support groups at hospitals, clubs, independent venues and even patient’s homes. These are run in addition to dietician and bariatric team care and not intended to replace them.

 

Research has shown that in centres where there is a good support service, including an active support group, obesity surgery outcomes are better. Attending a patient support group is a major contributor to achieving an individual’s long term healthy weight-loss and health improvement goals, helping to ensure that your investment in surgery is worth it.

 

With that in mind we have encouraged groups to form and grow; attend many on a regular basis and Carol frequently talks to many; and we have a list here that may guide you to one in your area.

 

This is a category that will be updated regularly but we do rely upon group leaders to let us know about new dates. All support groups are listed alphabetically. For specific dates make contact with the group leader before setting out since meetings are SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT SHORT NOTICE!.

 

 

BARIATRIC CARE AND SUPPORT  see STOKE ON TRENT, STAFFORDSHIRE BELOW.

 

BATH SUPPORT GROUP
Community Rooms, Wessex Water HQ, Claverton Down Rd, Bath, BA2 7WW
Wednesday or Thursday 7.30-9.30 pm
CONTACT: bathsupport@wlsinfo.org.uk

 

CHRISTCHURCH SUPPORT GROUP
Christchurch Community Centre, Southy Road, Somerford, Christchurch, Dorset
6.30 pm First Wednesday of every month
CONTACT: Wendy Savage Wendy71uk@msn.com or 07791 429 318

 

CORNWALL PATIENTS SUPPORTS GROUPS

1. Ash Torr Hall, Saltash, Cornwall

2nd Sunday every month. 1.30-4 pm

 

2.  Shortlandsend Village Hall, Cornwall

4th Sunday every month. 1.30-4 pm

 

3.  Source Cafe, Marcus Hill, Newquay, Cornwall

Every Thursday 11 am-2 pm

 

4.  Lanna Band Centre, Lanna, TR16 5SZ

3rd Wednesday every month. 6-8pm

 

5.  Sainsbury’s Cafe, Penzance, TR13 3AP

Last Friday every month 10 am

 

6.  Carclaze Inn, South View, Enterprise Park, Treverbyn Rd, PL25 4EJ

Every Monday 11.45 am

 

All groups are run by Zaneta Jean Jones and subject to change so please check details by telephone or email before attending in person

CONTACT: BSPcornwall@gmail.com   or 07790 239997 or 01637 889150

 

DEVON:

WLS FRIENDS IN NORTH DEVON

Asda Community Room, Asda, Atlantic Village, Bideford, Devon (please ring for details of how to find as they are not in the main store)

Every 3rd Tuesday of the month 7-9pm

PLUS they hold a coffee morning once a month – usually the 1st Monday of the month, 10.30 am at St John’s Garden Centre Restaurant, St John’s Road, Newport, Barnstaple, Devon (do check first since the date sometimes changes to fit in with school holidays etc)

CONTACT: Margaret on 01237 424223 or e-mail margo.bull@tiscali.co.uk

or Christine on 01237 474901 or email skinnybrit2b@talktalk.net

 

BARIATRIC PATIENT SUPPORT (BPS) SOUTH DEVON

Rydon Community Hall, Rydon Road, Kingsteignton, Nr Newton Abbot, South Devon, TQ12 3RD

1st Sunday of every month at 2pm

CONTACT: Debbie Styles Group Leader 07933950820

                   Elaine Jenkins Group Secretary 097766674295

 

BARIATRIC PATIENT SUPPORT (BPS) SOUTH DEVON

Mount Stuart Hospital, St Vincent’s Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4UP

1st Tuesday of every month at 7pm (starting 7th July 2015)

CONTACT: Debbie Styles Group Leader 07933950820

                   Elaine Jenkins Group Secretary 097766674295

 

 

DONCASTER SUPPORT GROUP

Jasmine Suite Seminar Room, South Block, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster DN2 5LT

For pre and post surgery patients Ist Thursday of every month 7-8pm

CONTACT: Debbie Cressey   debcressey@hotmail.com

 

EASTBOURNE SUPPORT GROUP

Eastbourne Weight Loss Support Group

 

EAST SUSSEX SUPPORT GROUP
The Greenman Pub Inn, Ringmer, East Sussex
7.30 pm First Wednesday of every month
CONTACT: Carol Blackman 07754 662995

 

ELSTREE AND BOREHAMWOOD SUPPORT GROUP
*****new venue****

Clementine Churchill Hospital (conference room), Sudbury Hill, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3RX

7.30 pm Second Thursday of every month

CONTACT: Stacey Brova 0800 1577 033 0r 07795 551466

 

HAMPSHIRE CLINIC SUPPORT GROUP

Hampshire Clinic, Basingstoke (Dining Room)

8pm on the following dates for 2012:

22nd Jan, 5th March, 16th April, 28th May, 16th July and 27th August 2013

CONTACT: GEORGETTE (Dusty) BROUGH  07790 526719 OR georgette.brough@sky.com

 

LEEDS SUPPORT GROUP

Bramley Suite, Weetwood Hall Hotel, Otley Rd, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS16 5PS (0113 230 6000 for hotel)

2nd Monday of each month 7-9pm

Dates for 2018:  8th October, 12th November, 10th December

Group Coordinators Bianca & Maxine on leedssupport@wlsinfo.org.uk

 

LINCOLNSHIRE  SUPPORT GROUP

BOSS – Bariatric Obesity Surgery Support

Meeting once a month @ Thoresby Suite, Louth County Hospital, Louth, Lincolnshire

Contact: Claire Greig on 07984 824 254 or crg02@tiscali.co.uk or facebook page BOSS-Bariatric Obesity Surgery Society

 

LONDON: SEE POST OPERATIVE BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

SEE WEST LONDON BOSPA

 

LONDON – CENTRAL LONDON

LONDON W1   Central London Support Group – Details and Dates for 2016 PLEASE NOTE THE DETAILS OF THE CHANGE OF VENUE The Central London Support Group meets on the third Saturday of each month from 2 to 4pm at: The Princess Grace Hospital at 42 – 52 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5NY and make themselves known to the main reception on the ground floor, where a porter will be called to show them to the Boardroom. The Boardroom is actually based at 40 Nottingham Place, but access is not permitted without the porter. Light refreshments are provided. All WLSinfo members and of course non members are welcome to attend, either alone or with a friend, partner, family member etc. Mr Ameet Patel, Consultant Surgeon very kindly funds this meeting place for us and we are extremely grateful. The dates for meetings in 2016 are as follows: Sat Jan 16th Sat Feb 20th Sat March 19th Sat April 16th Sat May 21st Say June 18th Sat July 16th NO MEETING IN AUGUST Sat Sept 17th Sat Oct 15th Sat Nov 19th NO MEETING IN DECEMBER Your Support Group Co-ordinators are Deborah (DeborahE) and JO (Wanna) you can contact us on centrallondonsupport@wlsinfo.org.uk After the meeting if you fancy more coffee and more chat . We usually pop over to The Natural Kitchen , At 77/78 Marylebone High Street from 16:00-18:00 ,more details are posted in the official announcement that comes out each month, usually a week to 10 days before the actual meeting.

 

MANCHESTER WEIGHT-LOSS SUPPORT, GASTRIC & PLASTICS MEET-UP

11.45am-1.30pm on the last Monday of every month

Costa Coffee, The Great Hall, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 8AA

Contact: Sara Bouamra 07742 911117 afreshme@rocketmail.com

 

MANCHESTER GASTRIC & PLASTICS FRIENDS (SSN) & WEIGHT-LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

7-8.30pm 3rd Thursday of every month

Leisure Club Sports & Spikes Bar, The Worsley Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Worsley Park, Manchester M28 2QT

Contact: Sara Bouamra 07742 911117 afreshme@rocketmail.com

 

MID KENT SUPPORT GROUP

7.30-10.30 First Thursday of the month

‘Brookers Oast’ Brewers Fayre, The Hop Farm, Beltring, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, TN12 6PY  01622 872818

CONTACT: Mike or Louise on www.midkentsupport@wlsinfo.org.uk

 

MILTON KEYNES WLS SUPPORT GROUP

11am-1pm  FIRST MEETING 9th June 2012

Dobbies Garden Centre, Belvedere Lane, Watling St, Milton Keynes, MK17 9JH

CONTACT: Lorraine Rainbow Andrews 07961 504476

 

NOTTINGHAM SUPPORT GROUP

*NEW* 2nd Tuesday of every month

Hyson Green Community Centre, 37a Gregory Boulevard, Hyson Green, Nottingham, NG7 6BE

CONTACT: Idaya Rose 07546 215757 bsgnottingham@gmail.com or 0115 911 1661 or email info@selfhelp.org.uk

 

POST OPERATIVE BARIATRIC SUPPORT GROUP

***new***

Whitecross Community Centre, Chequer St, London EC1Y 8LU

6.30-8.30 pm Second Wednesday of every month (First one 14th November 2012)

CONTACT: Alana or Mariannne pobsg@hotmail.com

NOTE: POST OPS ONLY

 

SOUTH COAST SUPPORT GROUP (RUN BY STREAMLINE SURGICAL)

***new***

The Holiday Inn, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO13FD

19.30 pm Third Thursday of every month starting 19th September 2013

RUN BY: Sue Smith, Streamline Surgical’s Communications Assistant. All are invited (you do NOT have to have had your surgery through Streamline) and can include partners/supporters. More information through www.streamline-surgical.com (on their forum page).

 

SOUTHAMPTON SUPPORT GROUP
Postern Court, Upper Bugle Street, Southampton, SO14 2AF
10.30 am- 1 pm
CONTACT: Andrea (Cordelia) southamptonsupport@wlsinfo.org.uk
NOTE: Parking is very limited being residential, but it is close to bus stops and both surface and multi-storey car parking around West Quay shopping mall.

 

SOUTH DURHAM SUPPORT GROUP

PCP Centre, Cobblers Hall, Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham

1st Wednesday of every month 6-9pm

CONTACT: scott.fiskel@sky.com

 

STOKE ON TRENT SUPPORT GROUP

Called Bariatric Care and Support. Check out all details on www.bariatriccareandsupport.co.uk or get in touch via their email address bariatriccare@yahoo.co.uk

 

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY FRIENDS/WOLVERHAMPTON

Meeting monthly (different dates) at the Linthouse Pub (private function room), Linthouse Lane, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV11 3TN.

CONTACT: Angela Matthews on 07554418324 or via email wls.friends@yahoo.co.uk

 

WEST LONDON BOSPA SUPPORT GROUP

Now held at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington.

British Obesity Surgery Patient Association Support Group

Meeting dates for 2019

 January 16^th, February 13^th, March 13th,

April 17^th, May 15^th, June 12^th,

July 10th, September 11^th, October 9^th,

November 13^th, December (to be discussed)

 

 

Our meetings take place in : The Glazer Room which is situated on the 3rd floor of the main building QEQM

 

 The evening runs from 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Generally on the second Wednesday of the month

The meetings cost £5 for members

CONTACT: Georgina Hayman (Group Leader) georginahayman@thepsychotherapygroup.co.uk or mobile: 07742 987715

 

WOKINGHAM, BERKSHIRE SUPPORT GROUP

Wokingham Community Hospital, Barkham Rod, Wokingham, RG41 2RG

3-5.30 pm  Meet once per month. Next meeting 5th March 2011

CONTACT:  Lou Bradley on 07834 706519

 

WORTHING SUPPORT GROUP
The Shelley Room, Goring Hall Hospital, Bodiam Avenue, Goring By Sea, Worthing, BN12 5AT
7.30-9.00 pm
CONTACT: Karin Holmes karinbospa@yahoo.co.uk
NOTE: There is a small door charge to attend BOSPA meetings to cover the cost of venue hire etc. This charge is £3 for non-members and their supporters and just £1 for members and their supporters.

 

SCOTLAND

 

BERWICK UPON TWEED SUPPORT GROUP

This is a new group having their first meeting on Thursday 10th May 2012 (then the second Thursday of every month after that).

OWNER’S LOUNGE BERWICK HOLIDAY PARK 7.30-9pm

CONTACT wlsberwick@yahoo.co.uk for more details and directions

 

FORTH VALLEY SUPPORT GROUP

GRANGE MANOR (just off junction 6 of M9)
see www. grangemanor.co.uk
6-8 pm First Tuesday of every month
CONTACT:JAN BURNS j.burns@nhs.net or 07875 157757