Support Groups are the backbone of our organisation because they allow sufferers to meet and gain access to help and hope.
In 2000 the inaugural Support Group was formed in Sydney, prior to the incorporation of our organisation in 2003. The idea was offer to provide information, support and encouragement to people afflicted with trigeminal neuralgia and other facial pains, as well as to help their families and friends understand this medical disorder. Knowledge is power and understanding can be the greatest support.
In 2022 ten Support Groups affiliated with our organisation, are spread across South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. A Support Group once operated out of the ACT. In the west a number of sufferers formed a separate incorporated body, Trigeminal Neuralgia Western Australia. Why ten groups? Why not more? If you don’t have a Support Group in your area what can you do to get one going? Email on members@tnaaustralia.org.au to express an interest, ask some questions and have a chat about Support Groups and all the possible options for you or another person to get one underway.
Ten areas of Australia have a Support Group Leader who connects with the sufferers in their own geographic area. From time to time each Leader organises either a face-to-face or an online (Zoom) meeting in/from a central location and all sufferers, their carers and friends in that area or region are invited to attend. Occasionally a specialist, in a medical or dental field that is relevant to trigeminal neuralgia, joins the meeting and shares his or her expertise and encourages questions. On other occasions, a video might be screened showing various treatments and surgeries. Alternatively, sufferers might, one by one, share their memories about when their pain started, how they were diagnosed, and which treatments they have tried. On all occasions these meetings are very informal so that everyone can get the most out of them. And no-one is expected to speak if they are in pain or shy. The meetings are safe places for learning, and sharing information.
In addition to running gatherings, Support Group Leaders talk with sufferers and their carers by phone, communicate with text messages, via one-on-one online Zoom meetings and through email exchanges, depending on the circumstances and the needs of individuals.
The Objective of our Support Groups is to provide information, support and encouragement to sufferers, their families and supporters. Our Mission is to promote awareness of trigeminal neuralgia and other facial pain amongst patients, families, the community and the medical and dental professionals who treat them. Our Goal is to encourage a unified understanding and improved approach to treatments of Trigeminal Neuralgia and other facial nerve pains at a local, state and national level and to improve treatments and approaches to pain management. Our Vision is to improve the quality of life and treatment of chronic facial pain sufferers locally, nationally and internationally.
Admission to ALL support group meetings is FREE. A donation at the door is always appreciated.
If you haven’t made contact with a Support Group Leader, I recommend you check the list below and send an email or give one a call – for a phone chat to gather trigeminal neuralgia related information or to find out about a meeting. If there isn’t one in your area email members@tnaaustralia.org.au and ask about how one might be established somewhere around you.
Due to Covid19 restrictions regular support group meetings may be cancelled or postponed please check with your support group leader to confirm the status of the meeting. Known cancellations have been removed from the Events list below.
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04 Dec, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm AEST
Tallebudgera Surf Club Bistro, 1505 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
RSVP’s essential for this event – Contact Peter Gough Tel: 0414 233 044 to reserve your place.
RSVP deadline is past
05 Dec, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm AEST
Trinity Gardens Bowling Club, Albermarle St Trinity Gardens.
A short Meeting will be followed by a Christmas afternoon tea.
Join Us – Contact: Adrian Daniel – 0438 795 664
RSVP deadline is past
11 Dec, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Level 1 St James Parish Hall, 169 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Join Us. RSVP to get Video Conferencing Link emailed to you Contact: Shane Thein Tel: 0407106470
RSVP deadline is past
11 Dec, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm AEDT
Room 4, Maroondah Federation Estate, 22 Greenwood Ave, Ringwood VIC 3134, Australia
Join Us Contact: Emelye Lovell Tel: 0400004110
RSVP deadline is past
11 Dec, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm AEST
30 Ridley Road, 30 Ridley Rd, Bridgeman Downs QLD 4035, Australia
Join Us Contact: Tony MacPherson Tel: 0403 290 066
RSVP deadline is past
The Meeting Rooms, Bungalows Residential Park, 325 Ready Creek Road, Burleigh Heads, QLD
Contact Peter Gough: 0414 233044
RSVP deadline is past
Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood, 3134 – Meeting room 4
Cost: A gold coin donation is welcome. Please bring a snack/plate to share if you can
Emelye Lovell: 0400 004 110
Alan Collard: 0408 936 231
RSVP deadline is past
30 Ridley Road, Bridgeman Downs QLD 4035, Australia
Join Us Contact: Tony MacPherson Tel: 0403 290 066
RSVP deadline is past
Due to Covid requirements for all people using the Bowling Club to be double vaccinated, it has been decided with regret to cancel the February 2022 Meeting.
Trinity Gardens Bowling Club, Albermarle St Trinity Gardens.
Join Us – Contact: Adrian Daniel – 0438 795 664
RSVP deadline is past
St James Parish Hall Level 1, 165 Phillips Street, Sydney, 2000
If unable to attend physically please still RSVP with a note to get Zoom Video Conferencing details emailed to you.
Cost: A gold coin donation is welcome.
Shane Thein: 0407 106 470
RSVP deadline is past
