OUR MEETINGS

We meet once a week, every Thursday, 10.30am – 1pm  at the
Ecko Club, Thornford Gardens, Southend, Essex SS2 6PU.

You’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome and benefit from a loving, supportive environment. The meetings include:
• Tea and cake
• Friendly chat with like-minded people 
• Exercise and relaxation sessions (only if you want to take part!) 
• Updates on the very latest research

Please feel free to get in touch with our Branch Chair Pat Nelson on 07954 657 603 if you would like to know more and she’ll be very happy to answer your questions.

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WHAT IS HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE?

Huntington’s disease is an illness caused by a faulty gene in your DNA (the biological ‘instructions’ you inherit which tell your cells what to do). If you have Huntington’s, it affects your body’s nervous system – the network of nerve tissues in the brain and spinal cord that co-ordinate your body’s activities.

Huntington’s can cause changes with movement, learning, thinking and emotions. Once symptoms begin, the disease gradually progresses, so living with it means having to adapt to change, taking one day at a time.

Living with Huntington’s disease can be very challenging.

Getting the right information and support is vital – click below to go to the HDA website which has all you need to know.

HDA WEBSITE

LATEST NEWS

DAWN STILLWELL
We have a smashing Care advisor called Dawn Stillwell who comes to the group every three months with her lovely mum Carol coming sometimes. We are so lucky to have Dawn.

STEPHEN JEFFS
We also have a lovely friend Stephen Jeffs, he is a volunteer manager at HDA and is their for us volunteers to help our friends at the branch as best we can. Thank you for your help Stephen.

LUCY QUIGLEY
Lucy is from Cambridge University and is in her 4th year studying medicine. She visits the group every now and then to see how our members and their family and carers are coping with HD.
She is also keen to find out how group’s volunteers help them.

THE ALLOTMENT
I am so sad to say that after 15 years we had to give up our fantastic allotment. Covid killed it for us. And at the end there were only 3 or 4 of us doing the work of about 20. I am heart broken, I have lost my 2nd home and I will remember every stick, stone , plants, bushes and trees. We handed it over to a group for people with onset dementia called peaceful place, lock stock and barrel, we only took personal stuff with us. I am so happy for the 15 years packed with fun and laughter that we had.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025
We have got lots of ideas for days out for next year…which will definitely include the boat trip on Papermill Locke.

EVENTS COMING UP

October 24th
Annual General Meeting

November 23rd
Christmas Quiz Night with fish and chip supper
Run as usual by two lovely group members Sam and Les.
It will be held at the Ekco Sports and Social Club Thornford Gdns. Off Manners Way, Near Southend Airport.
All welcome! Bring your Friends, Family, your neighbours even your boss for a happy fun filled evening. Big raffle.

December 12th – 1.30pm
Christmas Meal
At the Anne Boleyn Rochford.
This will be after we have had our annual Christmas panto at the group. Put on by anyone who wants to take part.
It’s all about our members with HD and their carers etc who want to have fun putting on the panto and not to just sit and watch
It’s not for the talented only our lovely peeps

 

GET IN TOUCH

If you’d like to get in touch with us here at the Southend branch of the HDA, please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you very soon.
Alternatively you can call our Branch Chair Pat Nelson at anytime – 07954 657 603.
And never forget – you’re more than welcome to just pop along from 10.30am on a Thursday and say hello!