About Us

Helping make life better

Resources & Support

Get in touch

Group of volunteers in a circle embracing

FND FrieNDS aim to:

Help reduce the feelings of isolation caused by FND.
Demonstrate that people suffering with FND are not alone.
Work with healthcare professionals to improve relationships with those who have FND.
Create a central point of contact for patients upon diagnosis.

What we do

FND FrieNDs is a patient and carers support group for those living with the diagnosis of FND in the South West of England. The groups meet regularly in a pre-arranged venue to meet others with the same diagnosis. This helps to reduce feelings of loneliness, misunderstanding and isolation that are often associated with this particular diagnosis. We can in some instances make home visits to those who are housebound. The idea of this is to encourage the individual when they feel confident enough with us, to leave their home and meet/ come with us to a local venue where they can meet others in a similar situation, in a comfortable, fun and positive environment. Please note though, we are not medical professionals and do not offer medical advice.

Get in touch

Meet our trustees

Sharon

Chair

I was diagnosed with FND in ’20, an experience that fundamentally reshaped my understanding of health, resilience, and community. After connecting with FND FrieNDs, I gained the knowledge & support that enabled me to navigate my condition with confidence & clarity. This community played a pivotal role in restoring my sense of identity & empowering me to move forward.

Motivated by the meaningful impact of this support, I began volunteering with FND FrieNDs in ’22. I have since been an active advocate for improving awareness, providing peer support, & fostering inclusion within the FND community.

In ’26, I assumed the position of Chair where I lead with a commitment to collaboration, empathy, & organisational growth. I am dedicated to ensuring that every individual affected by FND has access to understanding, reliable information, & a safe, supportive network. No one should face FND alone!

Jessie

Vice Chair & Trustee

I first found out I had FND back in 2014. Like so many others, I know just how tough it can be to deal with the symptoms and keep going day-to-day.

I have a background in the care sector, but sadly, my FND meant I had to step away from her job in adult social care.

Not one to give up, I started volunteering and became a Trustee with FND Friends in 2017.

I’m always full of passion, warmth and energy. I like to be a real support for adults and families living with FND.

Outside of her work, I love spending time with my family, catching up with friends and looking after my animals.

Sam

Secretary & Trustee

Watch this space…

Photo of an FND Friends Trustee called Caroline

Caroline Martin

Treasurer & Trustee

I was a Receptionist/Administrator before being diagnosed with FND at the beginning of 2018, although I had been symptomatic for a while before diagnosis.

Unfortunately I had to resign from my job on medical grounds.

My main symptoms are ongoing weakness on both sides with both legs and arms being affected caused by fairly frequent functional strokes and recently with migraines .

I am enthusiastic and keen to help others in any way she is able.

Emma

Trustee

Watch this space…

Dave Penny

Trustee

Watch this space…

Mandy Hall

Trustee

Mandy, a married mum of two, first started having functional symptoms in July 2018 beginning with involuntary movements. She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia but after suffering multiple seizures was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder which includes Fibromyalgia, Functional Movement Disorder and Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD) all under this one diagnosis. Mandy worked in healthcare for over 22 years both for the private sector and the NHS. Due to suffering multiple seizures daily, Mandy had to resign on medical grounds and her new passion is to spread awareness of FND and FND FrieNDs.

Caroline Martin

Trustee

Caroline was a Receptionist/Administrator before being diagnosed with FND at the beginning of 2018, although she had been symptomatic for a while before diagnosis. Unfortunately had to resign from her job on medical grounds. Caroline’s main symptoms are ongoing weakness on both sides with both legs and arms being affected caused by fairly frequent functional strokes and recently with migraines . Caroline is enthusiastic and keen to help others in any way she is able.

Dr Beth Mallam

Ambassador

Beth is a Neurology Consultant at Southmead Hospital. Beth’s interest in FND began early in her Neurology training. She was keen to learn more about what happens when people experience functional neurological symptoms and how we can help people feel better. She was therefore really pleased to become one of the first Neurologists in the UK to be directly appointed to an FND consultant post. Beth is lucky to work with a brilliant team of specialist therapists at the Rosa Burden Centre who have a common interest in providing the best care possible for people with FND in Bristol and the wider region. Beth is delighted to become an Ambassador for FND Friends, a group with a really positive approach and a valuable asset for our FND community.

Dr Leo Russel

Ambassador

Leo is a clinical psychologist and clinical lead for the Exeter FND Psychology Service at Devon Partnership NHS Trust. He chairs the NHS FND multi-disciplinary team which oversees the wider FND Pathway in Exeter, East and Mid Devon. He specialises in psychological interventions that help reduce the physical impact of distress on the and has published research on FND interventions and service development. He provides teaching on FND to clinical psychology trainees across the south west and has helped facilitate conferences for healthcare professionals across the region.

Ruth Stamp

Ambassador

Ruth is an Advanced Neurological Occupational Therapist. She works split roles between the NHS & private practice. This allows her to reach more people. Within all her roles she specialises in Functional Neurological Disorder assessment and rehabilitation. She is passionate about the work she does and the people under her care. For the NHS her role sits within Neurological Outpatients working at Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust within North Devon. In private practice she is the founder of nortle.co.uk, a neurological rehabilitation service.

Ruth has over 20 years’ experience as an Occupational Therapist. She specialises in helping people understand their condition, how to manage it and live with it. Ruth’s duel training in both physical and mental health lends itself to FND. This allows her to provide rehabilitation for both the physical symptoms, such as weakness, whilst also reducing potential triggers, such as anxiety.

She provides regular teaching on FND to health professionals and medical students. She recently completed a research fellowship and a neurological masters module using FND education as her topic. She is currently undertaking a Research Internship as part of Plymouth University where FND is her chosen topic. She is part of the national allied health professions network for FND. Through nortle, she provides a variety a free resources & information aimed at helping people with self-management.

“I am delighted and honoured to be an ambassador for FND Friends. I really value the work FND Friends does. I see the positive impact FND Friends has on my patients. From bringing peers together, to striving with others, to increasing awareness and resources. The respect and appreciation they have for a team approach, using a variety of professions, like Occupational Therapists, is fantastic and makes a big difference. Thank you for having me as your ambassador” (Ruth OT).

Our Mission

To provide relief from the social, emotional, and physical hardships caused by Functional Neurological Disorder;
To ease the suffering and promote the comfort of those diagnosed with FND by advancing the understanding and knowledge of FND among healthcare workers.
To provide relief from the isolation experienced by patients and their families by raising public awareness of FND, eliminating the stigmas that have been associated with the diagnosis in recent years.
To listen to, believe and respect those who approach FND Friends for our services.
To offer practical support in the form of signposting to other organisations that may be of benefit to our service users.
To treat everything with the strictest confidence in accordance with current GDPR guidelines.

Our Vision

To help people across the Southwest of England to understand what Functional Neurological Disorder is, gain acceptance of the condition and learn how to live well with an FND diagnosis.
To educate on FND through awareness days in hospitals, social media, study days, seminars and webinars.
To be courteous and supportive to those who have been signposted to our charity.
By holding meet-ups and days out, we help those with FND to socialise, get back out into the community, therefore improving confidence and reducing feelings of isolation.
Provide support to carers and families through information, online support and meet-ups.
To provide holistic therapies that may be of benefit to our service users while ensuring that our services are accessible.
All mandatory and appropriate training will be provided to all who work and volunteer for FND Friends Charity.

‘Since finding FND Friends in 2019 and making new friends I have found it very beneficial and informative of my condition.

I really appreciate the support from the charity and an extra shout-out to Amy and Jess who have become really good friends with supporting me since my move to Bristol.
I also really enjoy the craft sessions in Swindon with Hannah and Bristol with Amy and Jess.’

Charlotte