Online Adults (18+) Peer Support Group Meeting

Who is this meeting suitable for? 

This meeting is for people with all types of alopecia ages 18 and over. This meeting is only open to those in the UK.

What can you expect of this meeting?

At the beginning of each meeting, you will be introduced to the Alopecia UK hosts. We will make you feel welcome and run through some basic housekeeping.

Each meeting will be capped at 20 people. Any meeting with over 10 attendees will be split into two rooms. Please arrive at the meeting promptly, as once we break into rooms you will be unable to join.

From there, attendees will have the opportunity to chat and listen to others affected by hair loss. You can ask questions, answer questions, receive advice, give advice, and hopefully come away from the meeting feeling more confident about your alopecia. All of this is done from the comfort of your own home, perhaps with a recommended cuppa and biscuit!

We know that it can be nerve-wracking to meet people for the first time. Some attendees of our online sessions have told us they felt nervous logging on but were very glad they joined. If anyone is feeling particularly nervous about joining a session, feel free to contact the AUK Team in advance and we can try to reduce any nerves you may have.

We also recommend having a read through our Frequently Asked Questions, which may help answer any queries before the session.

Who will host the meeting?

The meeting will be hosted by one of our volunteers, Jo Kerry and Heloise, all with lived experience of alopecia.

Meet Jo:

Hi, I'm Jo: A mum of 2 young children, an amateur triathlete and an educationalist (once headteacher, now teacher educator). Whilst I live with alopecia everyday, I try not to let it define or restrict me and I’ve developed a good bank of mechanisms to ensure I can keep journeying positively through the life I have created. Listening to others, sharing hints, tips and lives experiences has been so important in my alopecia journey, and I hope through the support groups, this can benefit others too.

Meet Kerry:

Kerry is also a volunteer for our adult online support meetings. Kerry developed Alopecia Totalis at the age of 16, shortly after finishing her GCSEs. Kerry says: “When my hair fell out, it was pre-internet, and I remember feeling quite lost and that I was the only one that this was happening to. The support that Alopecia UK offers to people as they navigate their hair loss journey is vital. Having worked in the charity sector for 25 years, I know the value that volunteers bring. Providing a safe space for people to share, process and ultimately, thrive, is so important and I am excited to play a small part in this.”

Meet Heloise:

Hi fellow alopecians, and friends and family too 👋

My name is Heloise (pronounced Eloise) and I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata in November 2020 following nine months of Long Covid, which is believed to have been the trigger. Like many, it’s been a journey of ups and downs, learning self-acceptance along the way. After trying various treatments, including topical and oral steroids, I made the conscious decision to live unashamed.

A year ago, while on a solo staycation in Brighton, a young woman approached me and shared that she also has Alopecia Areata. She had noticed me proudly sporting my shaved head and told me she’d shaved hers for the first time that very day. We shared stories and reminded each other that hair loss is part of us, but not all of us.

Since then, I’ve wanted to be more involved in the alopecia community, which is truly a lovely place, to both support others and continue learning myself. Although the past few years have been a rollercoaster, I’m proud of where the journey has taken me and I look forward to what comes next.

How can I join the meeting?

You will need to complete the registration form below for each meeting you wish to join. You will be asked a few questions about yourself and the type of alopecia you have. It helps us to know who is joining each session. 

• You also need to read our meeting rules here. Having rules ensures the session is a safe and supportive environment for all.
  
  
• Head to 'Register for a space' below and select the number of people you would like to register for. Click 'BOOK'. (In most circumstances, the quantity will be 1)
  
  
• Once you have clicked 'BOOK' you will be asked to complete a few questions. Please ensure your email address is correct as this is how we will contact you to confirm your space. Once completed please click 'CONFIRM'. 
  
  
• This will take you to the 'basket'. Please note all our meetings are completely free to attend, there is however opportunity at this point to provide an optional donation to help us continue the work we do, should you wish to. Once ready please click 'COMPLETE PURCHASE'.
  
  
• Your registration for a place will be sent to our team to check over. You will receive your own booking email too. If for any reason your registration has not been accepted one of the team will reach out to discuss further. 
  
  We will send out the meeting link one day before the meeting. This link is only for you and must not be shared elsewhere. 

Please note that booking for the meeting closes on the Sunday before.