VEDS Support Groups

Our regional face-to-face support groups are safe, confidential, relaxed meetings for those touched by vascular EDS i.e. parents, carers, friends, children, and partners.

Facilitated by our wonderful volunteer regional coordinators, all of whom have lived experience with vascular EDS either personally or in a caring role. Our support groups provide a helpful way to share information, listen to each other’s experiences and together find ways of navigating the complexities of living with or caring for someone with vascular EDS.

Attending our support groups can help you build self-confidence, become more informed and this may lead to you becoming more in control of your life with vascular EDS. They help you feel you are not so alone including your loved ones. 

It is free to attend ANY regional support group and lunch is included, simply select the region nearest to your location and book your free place/s. 

Details of support groups taking place in 2026 will be announced in the new year including a new group for Israel.

Your Regional Coordinators

We are recruiting!

Due to an increase in membership numbers of people joining the charity and the size of each regions across the UK we are looking to increase the number of volunteer coordinators to help support the vEDS community at a local level.


A regional coordinator's role involves overseeing and managing support group meetings, events, or initiatives within their region for Annabelle’s Challenge.


If you have lived experience with vascular EDS either personally or in a caring role and live within the following areas we would love to hear from you:

  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • East of England
  • London
  • South East
  • East Midlands


Call us on 0161 797 4746 for an informal chat about what the role entails.

Learn More

Meet Danika

Danika joined Annabelle's Challenge in April 2022 taking on the role of patient coordinator.

"Before joining the charity I was a childcare professional with 13 years’ experience of working with children and their families.

I have completed my studies of Mental Health and gained a qualification in Mental Health Awareness Level 1 and Level 2 in Social Care and Children’s And Young Peoples Mental Health and certified Level 2 in counselling skills."

Danika is a Mental Health First Aider accredited by MHFA England.

Meet Scarlett

Scarlett joined Annabelle's Challenge in October 2023 taking on the role of patient coordinator.

"I am so pleased to be given this amazing opportunity to take on the role as a patient coordinator for the charity to help support all our members both existing and newly diagnosed. I have previous experience in childcare, and I love to travel especially to Ireland".

Scarlett is a Mental Health First Aider accredited by MHFA England.

Facebook Group & Helpline

For help with worries and advice about vascular EDS, to someone who’ll listen if you just want to talk, we’ll be there. You’re not alone. 

Call us free in the UK on 
0800 917 8495 
(Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm) 

Our members are welcome to join our private Facebook group:

Please click here to read our online support group policy and privacy policy. 

Free Medic Alert Membership

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