The charity LUPUS UK are delighted that they now have two more active support groups in South Wales, once again. There is a very strong and active group in North Wales, where two of the charity’s trustees live, including the current chair.

However, until recently, previous groups in South Wales had unfortunately become inactive.

Now, Wendy Diment, who started the Pembrokeshire Lupus Support Group in September 2017, has been in touch with over 50 patients in Pembrokeshire and beyond. In fact, as many members are now from Carmarthenshire, she is intending to hold meetings in Carmarthen, as well as Haverfordwest, from here on.

Wendy is passionate about supporting people with lupus, encouraging patient empowerment through knowledge of their illness and raising awareness, both in the general public and medical profession.

Wendy attends LUPUS UK Information Days and patient events at the LUPUS UK Centre of Excellence in Bath, whenever she can. She then disseminates the information to her support group.

She recently attended the Graham Hughes International Charity Patient Information Day in London, chaired by Professor Graham Hughes of the London Lupus Centre. There were talks by the Professor, Dr Arvind Kaul LLC, Professor Munther Khamashta LLC, international authority on pregnancy loss, and Dr Elizabeth Price, of the British Sjogren’s Syndrome Association, amongst others.

To mark the start of Lupus Awareness Month, the Pembrokeshire Group will be present in the reception area of Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest on Tuesday, October 1.

Meanwhile, in Cardiff, the new Support Group started by Dalila Tremarias, has had two meetings so far and is being very well received. It takes time to spread the world about these groups with the assistance of GPs, health centres and hospitals, but LUPUS UK have no doubt that it will go from strength to strength.

Dalila will also be attending The University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff (also known as The Heath) during Lupus Awareness Month in October.

LUPUS UK are fully supporting both of these groups, with attendance at meetings from the chair, Kevin Weston, and his wife, and also Deputy Chief Executive, Paul Howard.

LUPUS UK say: “We are extremely grateful for the efforts of volunteers like Wendy and Dalila who organise meetings in their area and raise awareness of lupus in their local communities, despite living with the disease themselves.

"Many people with lupus can feel isolated, anxious and depressed following their diagnosis, but support groups like this help bring people together for companionship, sharing advice and often improved health outcomes. ”

If anyone would like any information about lupus or these support groups, please contact LUPUS UK on 01708 731251. There is also information about lupus and the support groups at their website, www.lupusuk.org.uk