We know that talking to people with similar experiences is powerful. Our support groups are safe and welcoming places to talk to others affected by muscle wasting and weakening conditions, share experiences and meet people who understand what you’re going through. Whether you’re looking to find support in-person, or online, we’ve got a support group for you.
Join one of our WhatsApp groups and meet new people, share experiences, and get advice in a friendly and supportive environment.
The groups are monitored by our staff and volunteers who are also available to provide support, information, and advice. To join our WhatsApp groups and help keep them a welcoming space for all, read and follow the WhatsApp groups joining criteria, rules and safeguarding.
If you’re living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition in the UK, our WhatsApp support groups connect you with others who share similar experiences. The groups are split by age, so you can connect with people at a similar stage in life for support, understanding, and community.
Open to women aged 30+ living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition in the UK, to share experiences, get advice and support other women.
Groups for adults living with Becker muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy and Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy in the UK.
Mae grŵp cefnogi Cymraeg MDUK ar gyfer unigolion, a’u teuluoedd, sy’n byw gyda chyflyrau sy’n nychu cyhyrau neu sy’n gwanhau ac sy’n siarad Cymraeg.
MDUK’s Welsh language support group is for individuals, and their families, who are living with muscle wasting or weakening conditions and who speak Welsh.
The South Asian Neuromuscular Community Support Group connects members of the South Asian community, who are affected by muscle wasting conditions.
Join our WhatsApp group to share experiences, chat and make friends.
For parents of children with muscle wasting conditions. This is a safe space where you can share experiences, offer advice, and find comfort in knowing you’re not alone on this journey. Whether you’re looking for practical tips, emotional support, or just a place to vent.
Local Muscle Groups are our network of support groups across the UK. They’re a great opportunity to share experiences and meet other people affected by muscle wasting and weakening conditions in your area.
We run both in-person and online Muscle Groups across 10 regions of England and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The groups are a supportive and confidential space where you can ask questions, connect with others and find out more about the support we provide. All are welcome including friends, family and carers.
We work with Louise Halling (professional counsellor and psychotherapist) and Julie Oates (psychotherapist) to run friendly supportive groups. Think of them as guided peer support sessions. A safe, confidential space to share feelings and connect with others. They take place over Zoom.
Registration for our support group for grandparents of children living with a condition are now open.
We have regular meet ups for the muscle wasting community. Some are on Zoom and some are in person.
Where we have upcoming groups you can sign up below. If you can’t see any upcoming events please check back as this page is updated regularly.
For more information or to ask questions email communitysupport@musculardystrophyuk.org
These catch ups, for people aged 18-30, are a great opportunity to find out more about a particular topic, share experiences and ask questions. Previous catch ups have included employment, living well with a condition, housing and independent living and mental health and wellbeing.
Mae grŵp cefnogi Cymraeg MDUK ar gyfer unigolion, a’u teuluoedd, sy’n byw gyda chyflyrau sy’n nychu cyhyrau neu sy’n gwanhau ac sy’n siarad Cymraeg.
MDUK’s Welsh language support group is for individuals, and their families, who are living with muscle wasting or weakening conditions and who speak Welsh.
Open to older adults living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition in the UK. The meetings give you a chance to hear about how we can support you, as well as the opportunity to meet others who also know what it’s like to live with a muscle wasting condition.
Join our informal support group for people affected by oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). Members meet annually, usually on Zoom, sharing experiences of OPMD and how it affects them, and offer support and advice to others.
Bryan Gould, a longstanding volunteer who has OPMD, founded and chairs the group. OPMD is one of the rarest muscle wasting conditions. Before the group started, Bryan had never met anyone apart from his direct family with the same condition.
Join our informal support group for people affected by Myasthenia Gravis. Members meet regularly on Zoom, sharing experiences of their condition and how it affects them, and offer support and advice to others.
Amanda Hayes, a longstanding volunteer who has Myasthenia Gravis, founded and chairs the group. Thanks to the support group, Amanda and others with Myasthenia Gravis meet every few months on Zoom.
Join our informal support group on Zoom for people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
We run Zoom information sessions for both people newly diagnosed with a muscle wasting or weakening condition and parents of recently diagnosed children.
The sessions are run by our trained care and support team alongside professional psychotherapist Julie Oates. These sessions provide information on how we can support you or your child to live well with a muscle wasting and weakening condition.
Muscular Dystrophy UK is proud to partner with the Teapot Trust to offer free online art therapy sessions designed to support the emotional wellbeing of children, teenagers, and siblings affected by muscle-wasting conditions.
Delivered via Zoom by a qualified, experienced Art Therapist, each 6-week programme offers a safe and creative space to explore feelings and build resilience.
