What is the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK?

Posted April 26, 2021 8 Comments by thepaincorner

In 2020, I became a trustee and regional support group leader for the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK (TNA UK) and it filled an empty space in my life that I had lived with for 5 years.

I created The Pain Corner when I felt like I had no one. I had no idea there was a whole community of people in my country that lived with the same condition I did.

What is the TNA UK?

The Trigeminal Neuralgia Association is a UK registered charity that provides information and support for people living with trigeminal neuralgia and also for carers and medical professionals. We collate and share research material about the treatment and management of TN and financially support research projects.

The charity keeps running because of the work of our wonderful volunteers and relies on donations.

What free support do we offer?

We run a free telephone helpline on 0800 999 1899 and an email helpline – help@tna.org.uk – that are looked after by our unpaid volunteers, some who live with TN and some who are carers for those with the condition. These helplines are completely free for anyone to contact when they need our help and donations keep our phone lines running all year round.

What do I get as a member?

As a member, you receive:

access to national zoom meetings hosted by medical professionals
up to date advice (health, benefits and guidance)
newsletters and up to date information about research and treatment options
up to date information on medications and alternate therapies, decision making tools, preparing for surgery and consultations
access to regional support groups
personalised alert card
a ‘welcome pack’ to our new members containing leaflets, research and information to be both kept for yourself and shared with your friends, family and workplace and medical professionals you encounter
access to our exclusive forum

If you would like to join as a member and contribute a donation of £20, please click here or call 0800 999 1899.

How did I get involved with the TNA?

The chair of the charity at the time reached out to me, as one of my readers called John had passed on my details to her. John runs the Nottingham support group for the TNA and now I’m honoured to work alongside him.

What do I do within the TNA?

As a trustee, I help with decision making within the charity and we take care of all the bits ‘behind the scenes’. I also run the support group for North West of England and you will also see me popping up in the zoom calls for the other support groups too. You will also find me on the Facebook page, posting updates and replying to some of your messages. When we run our national zoom calls, I moderate these meetings behind the scenes and get your questions sent across to our CEO and the hosting medical professional. I also am the National Support Group Leader Coordinator.

What do I get out of working with the TNA?

Trustees and support group leaders are unpaid volunteers, but I feel like my jobs at the charity are the best therapy I have ever had. I leave every support group feeling warm and my spirits are lifted, no matter how low and in pain I was feeling before the meeting. The support from the trustees, medical advisory board and members are priceless.

How do I volunteer?

You can volunteer to work on our email or telephone helpline, social media or to run a support group in your area by calling 0800 999 1899 or emailing help@tna.org.uk and asking for more information. We always welcome new volunteers, whether you live with TN yourself or not.

How do I join/make a donation?

If you would like to join the TNA UK as a member, please click here or call 0800 999 1899. Your donation of £20 will help us with vital research and contribute to keeping our free helplines open all year round.

If you would like to make a donation to the TNA UK, please click here or call 0800 999 1899. A donation of just £5 or £10 could help someone in pain with 3 or 6 months membership.