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Support Groups

Basingstoke Support Group

About this group

Welcome to Basingstoke Support Group, we hope you will find the support you need on your endo journey. Your Volunteer Support Group Leaders are Kat Andrews, Emily Brown and Vicky Tutty. We are here to facilitate the group, we aren’t medical professionals, but between us we have suffered from the condition for over 50 years! So hopefully if we don’t have the answers, we will certainly be able to point you in the right direction! As a group we have a private Facebook page to share information and support each other, we also meet regularly for both formal and informal meetings. Watch out for information by email and on Facebook for updates on our next meeting. We look forward to meeting you soon.

General Session Information

Regular informal and formal meetings throughout the year

Upcoming Support Group Sessions

  • -
    Support Group Meeting - topic/presenter tbc shortly
    Place: The Ark Conference Centre, Basingstoke Hospital, Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke RG24 9NN
    Topic: General support
  • -
    Support Group Meeting - ENDO AND NUTRITION - ONLINE SESSION
    Place: The Ark Conference Centre, Basingstoke Hospital, Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke RG24 9NN
    Topic: General support, Guest speaker, Online Meeting
  • -
    Support Group Meeting - topic/presenter tbc shortly
    Place: The Ark Conference Centre, Basingstoke Hospital, Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke RG24 9NN
    Topic: General support
  • -
    Summer social - all details to be confirmed
    Place: Date and venue to be confirmed
    Topic: Social
  • -
    Support Group Meeting - topic/presenter tbc shortly
    Place: The Ark Conference Centre, Basingstoke Hospital, Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke RG24 9NN
    Topic: General support
  • -
    Support Group Meeting - topic/presenter tbc shortly
    Place: The Ark Conference Centre, Basingstoke Hospital, Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke RG24 9NN
    Topic: General support

Meet the Support Group Leader(s)

Kat

Picture of support group leader Kat

My Endo journey so far - After decades of battling with endo, first trying to get a diagnosis (eventually diagnosed in 2004), then surgery after surgery and facing endless more, also being diagnosed with Adenomyosis, plus the prospect of living in constant daily pain with a whole concoction of pain meds and chronic fatigue, I was determined to take charge of my condition. In 2014 I decided to try a complementary, holistic and alternative approach to manage my condition. Although I do still get setbacks, with minimal medication now and a complete change in my diet and exercise regime, I managed to avoid surgery for five years. Since 2017 I have completed annual double marathons and 100km treks to raise funds for Endometriosis UK! In so doing, I hope to have helped raise awareness for this awful condition and also to show my fellow sufferers to never give up hope. When we started the support group, I was surprised that there were so many other ladies who were going through the same problems as I was. I hope we can support you in sharing experiences and knowledge to help make your endo journey a little more manageable!

Emily

Picture of support group leader Emily

I was diagnosed with endometriosis in July 2014 after suddenly suffering with severe pelvic pain. Looking back, I probably first experienced symptoms of endometriosis in my early 20s when I went to my GP with painful periods. I didn't really know much about the illness when I received a diagnosis. I met up with some women I met online and from there the support group was formed. It was great to be able to share experiences with women who truly understood. I went on to have surgery and hormone treatment, before going through IVF which resulted in the birth of my little boy in 2016. I am dedicated to raising awareness of endometriosis through my work as a freelance journalist.

Vicky

Picture of support group leader Vicky

My endo journey so far – I have experienced symptoms since 2007 including painful periods and pelvic pain. After seeing multiple GPs and trying different treatments to manage my symptoms, I was diagnosed with endometriosis by laparoscopy in January 2022.  I am currently on the waiting list for excision surgery and manage my symptoms with pain medication and non-hormonal treatments.  I was aware of the support group and wanted to be part of it.  It can be isolating both getting the diagnosis or living with endometriosis, it is great to have a space to share experiences.

Looking for medical advice?

Please be aware that our support service are unable to provide medical advice and can only talk about endometriosis based on their own experience. If you need medical advice, please contact your GP or endometriosis specialist.