Cardiff Lupus Group

22/12/2025

☃️ ✨ Wishing you a beautiful festive season, filled with peace, and kindness ✨ Thank you to our lovely group members for making 2025 a year of meaningful connections in our lupus community.

💜 Let’s step into 2026 with hope! Some 2025 Lupus Highlights:

1️⃣ Lupus UK turns 35 – Launched new plans to shape the future of lupus research, care, and support.

2️⃣ New STRATIFY Lupus trial – Uses a blood marker to help find the right treatment for people whose lupus hasn’t responded to standard medicines.

3️⃣ Nobel Prize – Awarded for research on overactive immune cells, directly relevant to autoimmune diseases like lupus.

4️⃣ CAR-T therapy progress – Some patients reached deep remission and could reduce other medications.

Here’s to a 2026 of hope, progress, and better care for everyone with lupus! 💜🎉

21/12/2025

21/12/2025

The cold, harsh weathers within the UK can affect anyone, but people with long-term health conditions like are especially at risk.

For some, low temperatures, dry air, and seasonal infections can worsen symptoms.

Here are some tips for staying well during winter.

1. Dress in layers
2. Enjoy warm drinks
3. Use reusable hand warmers
4. Keep an eye on the weather
5. Protect exposed skin
6. Purchase a humidifier
7. Use extra blankets
8. Use warm inserts

18/12/2025

Don't forget to order your repeat prescription in plenty of time so you don't run out over the festive period 🎄

18/12/2025

🦋 Thank you, Chelsea, for sharing your experience of living with lupus 💜 your story is inspiring and will make a meaningful difference to others! 🎥

Chelsea, our Young People and Family Support Officer, has shared their experience on what it's like to live with as a young person. You can watch their presentation on our YouTube Channel () or by clicking the link below.

🔗https://youtu.be/StdzyINaI8M

15/12/2025

Christmas isn't a joyful time for everyone, it's ok to set boundaries and it's ok not to be ok over Christmas.
We are here 24/7/365 for support and guidance.
☎️Call 0800 132 737
📧Email CALL@helpline.wales
💻 https://callhelpline.org.uk
-NPC😊

15/12/2025

💉 Missed your flu vaccine appointments or yet to be invited?

We will be running catch-up clinics across the Swansea Bay UHB area over the month of December at different locations.

These offerings will be for all eligible adults, and children aged 2 to 16 years old (who will be given the fluenz nasal spray 👃).

No appointment needed, just drop in!

🤧 Every year, millions of people in Wales get vaccinated against the flu virus to protect themselves, loved ones and their community.

Flu can be life-threatening, especially for those most at risk of serious illness. This winter, flu is circulating earlier than previous years.

❄️ No one wants to be ill over the winter period. Your best chances of protecting yourself, and to stop the spread of flu to those you care about, is by getting the flu vaccine.

December catch-up clinic information:

Monday 15th December – Cwmavon Community Centre, Depot Road, Cwmavon, Port Talbot, SA12 9DF. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Tuesday 16th December – Pontlliw Village Hall, 125 Swansea Road, Pontlliw, Swansea, SA4 9EJ. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Wednesday 17th December – Immbulance at Neath Town Centre Main Square (opposite Costa), New Street, Neath, SA11 1RT. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Wednesday 17th December - Swansea Mosque, 159a St Helens Road, Swansea, SA1 4DG. 10:00am – 4:30pm.

Thursday 18th December – Ystradowen Community Centre CGYCC, 38 New Road, Ystradowen, Swansea, SA9 2YY. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Friday 19th December – Penclawdd Health Centre, Beach Road, Penclawdd, Swansea, SA4 3YN. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

13/12/2025

While lupus presents real challenges, many people—like Louise Crowley—go on to lead vibrant, active, and deeply fulfilling lives, proving that a diagnosis doesn’t define your future.

In our conversation with Dr Laura Durcan, consultant rheumatologist at Beaumont Hospital, she covers a wide range of topics including risk factors, pregnancy planning, treatment options, medication adherence, fatigue, sleep, and the future for lupus patients.

Watch the full video here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgQO4rKi-Ck&t=1s

Read our lupus booklet here 👉 https://www.arthritisireland.ie/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=1f96aa01-2ad3-48be-abed-f031869cf6ab

13/12/2025

Please be advised that Lupus UK Head Office will be closed from Wednesday 24th December and will re open on Friday 2nd January 2026.

Helpline and support services will resume from Monday 5th January 2026.

During this period, you can still find information on our website at www.lupusuk.org.uk. If you require immediate support, please contact 111 or 999.

We hope you enjoy the festive period.💜

02/12/2025

‼️IMPORTANT UPDATE‼️

The wearing of masks is now required in all hospital settings until 12 January 2026

Since mask-wearing was introduced on 24 November, we have already seen the important role it plays in slowing the spread of flu and other viruses.

To protect the health of the most vulnerable, we have extended compulsory mask-wearing for staff, visitors and patients on our hospital sites until 12 January 2026.

Fluid repellent masks must be worn by all staff, patients and visitors (unless clinically exempt) when attending:

• Our hospital sites
• Wards
• Emergency Departments
• All clinical settings, including our Minor Injury Units (MIUs).

When worn correctly, masks act as a filter that reduces the number of germs you breathe in and out. If worn by someone who has a virus, masks can significantly reduce the chance of spreading it to others.

Wearing a mask isn’t just about protecting yourself from winter illnesses; it’s about protecting those around you for whom these viruses might be more dangerous.

Thank you.

02/12/2025

💉 Missed your flu vaccine appointments or yet to be invited?

We will be running catch-up clinics across the Swansea Bay UHB area over the month of December at different locations.

These offerings will be for all eligible adults, and children aged 2 to 16 years old (who will be given the fluenz nasal spray 👃).

🤧 Every year, millions of people in Wales get vaccinated against the flu virus to protect themselves, loved ones and their community.

Flu can be life-threatening, especially for those most at risk of serious illness. This winter, flu is circulating earlier than previous years.

❄️ No one wants to be ill over the winter period. Your best chances of protecting yourself, and to stop the spread of flu to those you care about, is by getting the flu vaccine.

December catch-up clinic information:

Wednesday 3rd December – Immbulance at Morfa Shopping Park, Brunel Way, Bon-y-maen, Swansea, SA1 7BP. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Wednesday 10th December – Skewen Memorial Hall, Skewen Memorial Park, off Wern Road, Skewen, Neath, SA10 6DP. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Wednesday 10th December – Immbulance at Pontardawe Leisure Centre, Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe, Swansea, SA8 4EG. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Thursday 11th December – Dementia Hwb, The Quadrant Shopping Centre, Swansea, SA1 3QW. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Friday 12th December - Unit 6 creche (next door to the library), Water Street, Neath, SA11 3EP. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Friday 12th December – Clydach Community Hall, Vardre Road, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5LU. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Monday 15th December – Cwmavon Community Centre, Depot Road, Cwmavon, Port Talbot, SA12 9DF. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Tuesday 16th December – Pontlliw Village Hall, 125 Swansea Road, Pontlliw, Swansea, SA4 9EJ. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Wednesday 17th December – Immbulance at Neath Town Centre Main Square (opposite Costa), New Street, Neath, SA11 1RT. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Wednesday 17th December - Swansea Mosque, 159a St Helens Road, Swansea, SA1 4DG. 10:00am – 4:30pm.

Thursday 18th December – Ystradowen Community Centre CGYCC, 38 New Road, Ystradowen, Swansea, SA9 2YY. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Friday 19th December – Penclawdd Health Centre, Beach Road, Penclawdd, Swansea, SA4 3YN. 10:00am – 4:00pm.

02/12/2025