Behçet's UK

08/01/2026

Trustee Fionnuala Mc Kinley is hosting an online support group meeting for spouses and partners of people living with Behçet’s on Monday 26 January 2026, 7:00pm - 8:30pm.

“When a partner develops a long-term chronic illness like Behçet’s, it affects more than just the person living with the condition. Family, friends, and co-workers may feel the impact, but often the greatest effect is on their spouse or partner.”
Fionnuala McKinley, Behçet’s UK Trustee

This group provides a safe and supportive space for anyone living in the UK whose spouse or partner has Behçet’s to share their thoughts and connect with others in similar situations who understand what they’re going through.

The group is open to people living in the UK (18+) whose spouse or partner has been diagnosed with, or is seeking a diagnosis of, Behçet’s.

Meeting topic: General meeting
This session will be a general support group meeting, where everyone can chat and ask questions. Fionnuala will guide the discussion based on your input.

If you are interested in joining this meeting, please visit our Behçet’s Support Group page and complete the online registration form by 11:30am on Monday 26 January 2026. https://behcetsuk.org/support-groups/

[Image Description: Close-up photo of a cup of coffee next to a laptop. Text reads 'Support Group Meeting for Spouses/Partners of People with Behçet's. Monday 26 January 2026 at 7pm - 8:30pm via Zoom'].

07/01/2026

Trustee Rachael Humphreys is hosting another Zoom support group meeting for those affected by Behçet’s in Wales on Saturday 31 January from 10:00am-12:00pm.

The group is open to anyone aged 18 or over living in Wales who is affected by Behçet’s.

Meeting topic: General meeting
This session will be a general support group meeting, where everyone can chat and ask questions. Rachael will guide the discussion based on your input.

Important: stories and tips shared in the groups reflect individual experiences. What works, or doesn’t work, for one person may not be the same for others. You must never delay seeking medical advice, ignore professional guidance, or stop/change your treatment based on information shared in support group meetings.

If you are interested in joining this meeting, please visit our Behçet’s Support Group page and complete the online registration form by 11:30am on Friday 30 January 2026. https://behcetsuk.org/support-groups/

[Image Description: Photo shows a white teacup and saucer on a table next to a laptop and notepad. On the photo it says “Behçet’s Wales Support Group Meeting. Saturday 31 January 2026 at 10am - 12pm via Zoom”].

07/01/2026

RESCHEDULED! Volunteer Sarah McAllister has had to reschedule the next online support group meeting, it will now take place on Monday, 19 January 2026 from 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm for anyone aged 18 or over living in England who is affected by Behçet’s.

Meeting topic: Mental Health
Research shows that people living with long-term health conditions, including Behçet’s, are more likely to experience anxiety, low mood, and other mental health challenges.
With January often being a challenging month for many, and with 'Blue Monday' falling on the 19th, Sarah felt it would be appropriate for this meeting to focus on mental health.

Important: stories and tips shared in the groups reflect individual experiences. What works, or doesn’t work, for one person may not be the same for others. You must never delay seeking medical advice, ignore professional guidance, or stop/change your treatment based on information shared in support group meetings.

How to join
If you are interested in joining this meeting, please visit our Behçet’s Support Group page and complete the online registration form by 11:30 am on Monday 19 January 2026. https://behcetsuk.org/support-groups/

[Image Description: Photo shows the arms and hands of a person using the touchpad on a laptop, which is on a table. Text says “Rescheduled. England Behçet’s Support Group Meeting. Monday 19 January 2026 at 7.30pm - 9:00pm via Zoom”. The Behçet's UK logo is displayed in the corner].

05/01/2026

Nominations for the 2026 Members Award are now open! ⭐️

The Behçet’s UK Members Award was created to recognise:
The contribution of individuals who, have been instrumental in supporting, and improving the quality of life, independence, and dignity of anyone in the Behçet’s UK Community.

Find out more and nominate someone on our website: https://behcetsuk.org/buk-members-award/nominate/

[Image Description: Close-up photo of red stage curtains. The Behçet's UK logo is displayed on top of the photo. Text reads 'Members Award 2026. YOUR nomination is...?”].

05/01/2026

Don't forget, trustee Fionnuala Mc Kinley, is hosting a support group meeting via Zoom next week on Monday 12 January 2026 at 7pm – 8:30pm for any adults affected by Behçet’s and living in Northern Ireland or Ireland.

Meeting topic: General meeting
This session will be a general support group meeting, where everyone can chat and ask questions. Fionnuala will guide the discussion based on your input.

If you are interested in joining this meeting, please visit our Behçet’s Support Group page and complete the online registration form by 11:30am on Monday 12 January 2026. https://behcetsuk.org/support-groups/

[Image Description: Photo shows a teacup positioned on a laptop, which is on a table. There is a pot of pink flowers next to the laptop. Text reads “Behçet’s Northern Ireland Support Group Meeting. Monday 12 January 2026 at 7pm - 8:30pm via Zoom”.”].

03/01/2026

Are you having a clear out for the new year? Did you get some Christmas presents you don't want? Sell your unwanted items on eBay.co.uk where you can choose to donate a portion of your sale price to Behçet's UK!

You can choose to donate anything from 10% to 100%, and it is free to sell for most UK-based casual private sellers.

Head to the Behçet’s UK eBay for Charity page to start selling today: https://www.charity.ebay.co.uk/charity/i/Behcet's-UK/143018

Thank you so much to those of you who have used eBay for Charity in the past to support Behçet's UK! 🙌🙂

[Image Description: The eBay for Charity official logo]

02/01/2026

Trustee Fionnuala McKinley would love for you to join her and the Behçet’s Northern Ireland Support Group for a meetup over lunch on Saturday 24 January 2026 at 12:30pm at The Halfway House Bar & Restaurant, Banbridge. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some good food and catch up with everyone.

Attendance is free but you will need to pay for your own food and drinks.

If you're already on the Northern Ireland support group mailing list, you will receive an invite by email next week. If you're not on the mailing list yet, please join it by filling in the form on our website, and we'll make sure you'll receive an invite: https://behcetsuk.org/support-groups/

[Image Description: Close-up photo of some rigatoni pasta in a tomato sauce in a stripey patterned bowl, with a basil leaf on the top. Text reads “Behçet's Northern Ireland Support Group Lunch. Saturday 24 January 2026 at 12:30pm. The Halfway House, Banbridge”. The Behçet's UK logo is displayed in the corner].

01/01/2026

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, from all of us at Behçet's UK 🥂✨

[Image Description: A photo of some beautiful fireworks in the night sky. The Behçet's UK logo is displayed in the corner].

30/12/2025

Volunteer Sarah McAllister is hosting an online support group on Zoom on Tuesday 13 January 2026, from 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm for anyone aged 18 or over living in England who is affected by Behçet’s.

Meeting topic: Mental Health
Research shows that people living with long-term health conditions, including Behçet’s, are more likely to experience anxiety, low mood, and other mental health challenges.

With January (with the so-called “Blue Monday”) being a tough month for many, Sarah felt it would be appropriate for this meeting to focus on mental health.

Important: stories and tips shared in the groups reflect individual experiences. What works, or doesn’t work, for one person may not be the same for others. You must never delay seeking medical advice, ignore professional guidance, or stop/change your treatment based on information shared in support group meetings.

How to join
If you are interested in joining this meeting, please visit our Behçet’s Support Group page and complete the online registration form by 11:30 am on Tuesday 13 January 2026. https://behcetsuk.org/support-groups/

[Image Description: Photo shows the arms and hands of a person using the touchpad on a laptop, which is on a table. Text says “England Behçet’s Support Group Meeting. Tuesday 13 January 2026 at 7.30pm - 9:00pm via Zoom”. The Behçet's UK logo is displayed in the corner].

29/12/2025

Trustee Fionnuala Mc Kinley, is hosting a support group meeting via Zoom on Monday 12 January 2026 at 7pm – 8:30pm for any adults affected by Behçet’s and living in Northern Ireland or Ireland.

Meeting topic: General meeting
This session will be a general support group meeting, where everyone can chat and ask questions. Fionnuala will guide the discussion based on your input.

If you are interested in joining this meeting, please visit our Behçet’s Support Group page and complete the online registration form by 11:30 a.m. on Monday 12 January 2026. https://behcetsuk.org/support-groups/

[Image Description: Photo shows a teacup positioned on a laptop, which is on a table. There is a pot of pink flowers next to the laptop. Text reads “Behçet’s Northern Ireland Support Group Meeting. Monday 12 January 2026 at 7pm - 8:30pm via Zoom”.”].

25/12/2025

Wishing a very Happy Christmas to all who celebrate it, from everyone at Behçet's UK 🎄🎅✨

Remember if you need support over Christmas, the Behçet's UK Helpline 0345 130 7329 is open daily from 9am – 9pm throughout the holiday period. Please note it is run by volunteers from home, so you may reach voicemail. If this happens, do leave a message with your name and number, and our helpline operator will return your call as soon as possible.

Further information about where to find support can be found on our website: https://behcetsuk.org/news/general-news/support-over-the-holidays/

Details about our holiday opening hours is also on our website: https://behcetsuk.org/news/behcets-uk-holiday-opening-hours/

[Image Description: An illustration of a Christmas tree decorate with baubles, lights and candy canes, with a star at the top, and wrapped presents underneath, on a blue background. Text reads 'Happy Christmas' and the Behçet's UK logo is displayed in the corner.].

22/12/2025

Would you like to get involved with Rare Disease Day 2026? Please help Genetic Alliance UK by filling in their survey.

They are exploring the theme of equity for people living with rare conditions as part of their Rare Disease Day 2026 campaign. They want to hear about your experiences of accessing healthcare for a rare condition, and how those experiences may have felt fair (equitable) or unfair (inequitable).

Please complete their survey before 17:00 on Tuesday 6 January 2026 and share your experiences of Behçet's.

Thank you! ❤

Rare Disease Day 2026 is the global annual awareness day for genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions and we want YOU to be involved!

We've created a short survey based on EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe Rare Disease Day 2026 theme of equity and if you have experience of rare conditions then we need your input.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GA-UKRDD2026survey/

We want to hear about your experiences of accessing healthcare for a rare condition, and how those experiences may have felt fair (equitable) or unfair (inequitable).

Your insights will help us understand what equity means to you and your views will be essential in shaping our campaign so it reflects real experiences and real needs.

We want to hear from as many people as possible. We welcome contributions from:

- people living with rare, genetic or undiagnosed conditions
- carers and family members
- healthcare professionals
- support organisations
- researchers
- anyone connected to rare conditions

Complete the survey and share with others so that we can include and amplify as many voices as possible. We want anyone connected to rare conditions to be part of our campaign and you are crucial in helping to make that happen.

Don't delay - the survey closes at 17:00 on Tuesday 6 January 2026 so complete it today and make sure your voice is heard on Rare Disease Day.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GA-UKRDD2026survey/