Starting a parent support group for allergies in London

[zeered]

I have searched online for months now trying to find a support group of sorts for parents of children with allergies...in London.
Despite joing the various allergy organisations, I still cant seem to find one.

I could just really do with monthly or so meet-ups where I can make friends with other mums in the same boat, share tips on shopping, recipes, and general issues.Plus create a safe environment for my toddler to explore, meet other children without the usual risks of being in public play-groups, restaurants etc...

So now am thinking - maybe just start one?
If anyone is interested, please contact me or of you know of any existing ones, that would be great too.

Thanks

I own a cafe in North London where you can arrange meet-ups.

We serve food to suit all!..

I have friends with kids who have allergies and intolerances and we all meet up on a regular basis.

Both my son and I suffer allergies

What is your child allergic too?

What a brilliant idea!
I would love to join, also north london, kcarty, where is your cafe? I am in Finchley. Shall we set a date?

Not far from you!

I am in Friern Barnet.

My friends are there most days. Pop in any time and we can chat about getting other mums together.

It's always nice to find other parents that you can have a chat with.

We keep the kids busy with our art activities and book corner.

31 Queens Parade, Friern Barnet Rd. N11

Sooo close, I am in North Finchley, brilliant! I will pop in as soon as I can.

You can't miss us - got a big yellow helicopter outside.

My name: Helen

Tell staff your from Mumsnet.com

were having a student art exhibition on Sat and raising funds for Macmillan. Your welcome to come along free of charge as a mumsnet member.

I've been!
only outside, was waiting for the 221 bus and my DS could not resist the helicopter, how funny! and thought what a lovely cafe, we should come! We will come, not on Sat, but in the week, thanks so much.

K-Carty - that's great! I don't actually know any mums with allergic children so spend most of the time boring my friends with the details and trying to fit in with their plans as much as easily possible. I am also in North London - am in Crouch End. My son is allergic to dairy, wheat, soya, eggs, all nuts, sesame, chickpeas and beef.

Should we make a date to meet? Hoping there will be even more interested so can arrange it - no problem...

I am guessing as you have a cafe, it serves all food? Only as I was hoping to arrange everyone to meet where it is an allergy free zone. I know it is impossible to take everyone's allergies into account but just the most common ones like nuts, dairy, egg, wheat etc? Still, hopefully we can make a plan.

How old are your children? My son is 14months so is at the stage where he cannot sit still and wants to explore. So as u know, very tricky finding activities indoors as most play areas etc obviously have other kids eating/touching all the things we have to keep him away from which is a nightmare to say the least. Your book corner sounds perfect...

Thanks for getting back to me - really look forward to it.

My Ds2 is now 10 yrs old and has outgrown most of his allergies, but still has some reactions. My friends Dc are mainly allergic to dairy & wheat. Am sure we can keep you in an environment away from food. But I can't promise that your little will not touch another child that has eaten something with nuts in!

One side of the cafe is designed for art activities and food is not allowed on that side.

The cafe is not very big, but if we need more space, I can always use the shop next door. It is a bit of an empty space at the moment. And could do with a bit of TLC and some cushions! But could be the perfect place for us all to meet.

Monday's are my quietest days and could be a great day to meet up. We could meet up on the first Monday of every month?

Thank you very much for offering to meet at your cafe - very kind.

I actually work -sorry didn't think to mention it before...but am off on Fridays and obviously weekends...would any of those days be possible for you?

Am on the leap study at the moment so thought I may mention it to them in case there are any other mums who are also keen to meet up.

Really cool - looking forward to it.

It sounds so fab I might make the trip from York (sadly looks at bank balance and sidles away enviously). Its a great idea!

All sounds great, any day is good for me. My DS is almost 4 and at nursery in the afternoons.

Hi Zeered and everyone! I am in Crouch End too - and my DD (6)is allergic to egg, milk and kiwi. well as of today - tomorrow we are off to Gideon Lack to see if there is any change (but faily sure unlikely esp milk as she had an accidental exposure recently and a very bad reaction...). But the egg was reduced 2 years ago, so here's hoping!!

But when I see other peoples allergy lists, I realise how lucky we are. Zeered that's a shocker - your poor DS. Did you go to the Allergy Alliance workshop at St Thomas' a few weeks ago? Lots of people there from the Leap study.

(I have two other DC, one (4) with no allergies - the baby 11 months we are about to challenge on dairy and egg - so might struggle to go to Friern Barnet. But Zeered - if you fancied a coffee in C End I would be happy to meet up)

Turniphead - Great, always up for a coffee...especially walking distance
Do hope you have a good appointment tom. Fingers crossed. We are also under Gideon's care - thankfully. Funny enough I had booked tickets for that allergy evening and at the last minute, convinced myself that I would head all the way down there to find that I knew most of the information anyway... Not that I know everything by any means but have been to hear so many talks on food allergies and eczema from that same team. Damn now I wish gone!

My email is [email protected] so if you want to email me your no then can arrange something. Re: meeting up with everyone, I could give you a lift to Frien Barnet when we arrange that, if it helps?

Hey this is great!
Food Allergy Mums, a group which wants to help more people has been running out of buckinghamshire for 2 years (this Xmas!!). It's been so wonderful to be there for each other. We've had great guest speakers and, (coming to the point I promise) were just chatting to one of the Royal Free Allergy nurses (James - do you know him) and he's been asked by so many people if there are any support groups in north London that we offered to help anyone who wanted to start up a meeting. have a look at the website - it's a bit basic but we're getting there.
We're also trying to be active - almost finished a guide for managing allergic children in primary schools (the allergy buddies lady is a member of FAM) and will soon move onto other things. Our next meeting is in Marlow on sat 12th 9:00 to 11:30. Do come but also let me know if we can help set up a meeting - we could ask if we could use one of the rooms at the royal free hospital? Anway let me kniow your thoughts, it's soooo good to meet up and chat to other allergy mums ...

topiarygal - Thanks for getting in touch. That's exactly what I wanted to start in London - with the view to hopefully in time build a network of parents and organise talks etc whilst also just meeting up casually as support.

I will have a look at your website. Not sure where Marlow is? Will be in touch.

Marlow - buckinghamshire - just near maidenhead - do come!

ZeeRed, sorry not got back sooner, been a bit busy.

Have had a bit of interest locally re meet-ups. Weekends are a bit difficult for me as they are my busiest days with kids parties, craft classes etc.

Friday's I have four classes on and can also be busy.

Do you work during school hols?

Hi - will follow with interest. Another north londoner with allergic DD (dairy, eggs, nuts, sesame, kiwi). DD is also in the care of the St Thomas' team.

(turnip - I didn't realise you were so close - we are in East Finchley. Hope all is good with the challenge. So far so good with DS he seems OK on dairy, haven't tried egg yet.)

KCarty - Unfortunately as my son is only one, so I don't necessarily follow school holidays at this stage...

Oh what a shame, yr cafe sounds perfect. Another possibility - evenings? But then dear children wont meet.

Maybe can pop in to see you at some stage? And then can chat some more and try come up with another plan? Let me know when you have a gap...

Just had another thought - I sometimes switch my days to Thursday and wld only be meeting monthly anyway. Does this make any difference?

In the meantime, will look into some other interim venues and wait to see how many more are interested...and please also steer anyone interested to this post...or my email [email protected]. Will get there in the end, I hope!

To everyone - still waiting to see how much more interest we have...so will have a plan soon. As per previous posts, I will be aiming to arrange this monthly either on Thurs/Fri or weekends. Can everyone let me know their preference...

Hello Everyone, Weekends are a bit touch and go. Lots of parties etc.

Thursday's are good. Sometimes it's just as nice to meet without DC as it is with. So maybe we do one Thursday with/ one Thursday without DC!

Madrehay - have you been to the cafe yet? I know you said you were going to try and pop in.

Anyone who wants more info can Email me on:
[email protected]

Thanks. I'm afraid I work full time, so in my case it would have to be some evening without DC or possibly a weekend.

Invisible Hand - might be easier to sometimes meet at weekend or eve...hopefully will have a clearer plan of action in the next few days...

Kcarty,
Hi, did not have a chance to pop in yet, had a mad couple of weeks with work (I work from home)and then family staying over for a few days.
Will pop in soon, promise!