We have been running CES Workshops, face to face support group meetings and events across the UK for the past ten years.
Our first meeting was held ten years ago in a pub in Chester and was very well attended. It proved very popular and we were asked if we could provide more meetings for others across the country on a regular basis. So, we set about organising these meetings. Eventually we were hosting meetings in 18 different locations across the country, and this has developed into the service it is today.
Due to the success of our first ever CES workshop last year, we have decided to organise FOUR more for 2024! The first two are now open for reservations.
Sunday 19th – Monday 20th May – Bury, Lancashire
Sunday 23rd – Monday 24th June – Borehamwood, Watford
We will also be holding workshops in Birmingham and Sheffield in Autumn/Winter but bookings won’t open until summer.
We’d like to invite group members living with CES plus one loved one. The workshop will cover all things CES and will provide a welcoming, caring group environment. Each workshop will include:
- An overnight hotel stay on the Sunday night.
- Three course group meal on the Sunday night in the hotel restaurant.
- Breakfast on Monday morning followed by CES workshop (approx. 10am to 2pm) with lunch and refreshments included.
The cost of the event will be covered by the charity except for parking/travel. We ask that you pay for the hotel room up front (this will be non-refundable) and we will reimburse the cost of the room (upto £100) after you have attended the event. Unfortunately, if you book the room but don’t attend the event, we will be unable to reimburse the cost of the room.
Please email [email protected] for further information and to reserve your place.
As the charity has grown, we rely on our wonderful CES volunteers who hold regular coffee meet ups in their local areas. They offer people the chance to make friends close to where they live and share experiences and tips about living with CES. To see the list of upcoming coffee mornings (hosted by fellow CES sufferers) please visit this link – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/cauda-equina-champions-charity-1187294-27827793471
Meetings aren’t just for patients, and we welcome family members, friends and carers who come along as well to support their loved ones. Refreshments are provided by the charity and guest speakers are welcome to come along and share information that might be beneficial to our members.
“When I hosted our first support group meeting I met people who have remained my friends to this day. I also remember the lady who had suffered with cauda equina syndrome for over ten years and was completely isolated at home. She was reliant on a community nurse who came to evacuate her bowels once a month. I couldn’t believe that she had to live like this. Her trauma and distress has always stuck with me and we were delighted to be able to offer her our support. She was no longer alone and had somewhere to turn.” – Claire Champions Charity Founder
If you would like know more about our face to face meetings you can sign up to our regular monthly newsletters to keep up to date. Perhaps you would like to hold one in your own area with our support? If so please get in touch at [email protected] and register your interest.
We also hold monthly virtual support group meetings that you can join if there isn’t a meeting near to where you live. Look out for updates on our events pages and subscribe to our newsletter.