The Addison's Disease Self-Help Group charity is based in the UK, but has always, and continues to welcome e-members from all over the world to foster a community where we can learn from each other and pool our knowledge and experience.
We have a wonderful, engaged and passionate group of members in the Republic of Ireland, who we have always referred to as 'Addison's Ireland'. This section of our website captures information relevant to this valued group of members.
A new Irish charity to support people with Addison's and adrenal insufficiency
As a result of Brexit in 2020, there have been some legislative and regulatory changes that dictate how charities based in the UK must act, as regards their operations in the Republic of Ireland (ROI).
We have been fortunate to have enjoyed wonderful meetings in the past in the RoI, but in 2024, we were required to take legal advice and, unfortunately, were advised to formally withdraw our operations from the Republic of Ireland. The Pituitary Foundation UK and other charities previously working across the UK and ROI have been similarly affected.
Rachel Bracken, our longstanding Ireland co-ordinator, who is pivotal to the development of a new Irish patient support group commented:
As you may know, due to Brexit, ADSHG being a UK charity can no longer fundraise, lobby or host official charity meetings in the Republic of Ireland. The Pituitary Foundation UK is similarly affected. Therefore I, and a few other members of ADSHG, have joined forces to support our Addison's Ireland members.
We received tremendous support as ever from the ADSHG, especially Dom (Chair of Trustees), and Katie Harris (Trustee), who will assist us as we go forward in our new Addison’s and Adrenal Support Ireland charity endeavour.
We will always have the excellent medical literature from the ADSHG but once we have the Irish charity registered, we can also join with other Irish charities such as Rare Diseases Ireland and Health Research Charities Ireland, which we could not do as a UK charity.
We are delighted to announce that as of 2026, we are up and running as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). Now a lot more paperwork lies ahead but watch this space! If you could support us in any way please get in touch.
The launch of the new Irish charity: Addison's & Adrenal Support Ireland
Addison’s & Adrenal Support Ireland CLG Board – Clockwise from Top: Rachel Bracken (Chair), Rosemarie Kennan (Secretary) & Patricia Hinch (Treasurer).
Addison's and Adrenal Support Ireland are evolving continuously.
Already a CLG, they have a logo and now an email contact address for those wanting to get involved, or needing support.
Contact Addison's & Adrenal Support Ireland
No matter where our members are based, we are united by the same values and shared purpose. As a charity, we work together to support people living with Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency, strengthen connections within our community and the wider endocrine medical profession, raise awareness of these rare conditions and their impact, and champion improvements in treatment and research that can enhance the quality of life for those affected.
We enjoy great relationships with both members in the Republic of Ireland (RoI), and with medics and health professionals alike. Whilst there are obvious differences between the UK and the RoI health service, many of the principles of the work we do are as applicable in Ireland as they are in the UK.
We are here to support the development of Addison's and Adrenal Support Ireland, and are so excited to see it grow. We are very grateful for, and inspired by the passion and motivation of the key founders of the charity, and we wish them every success!
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HSE Living Well Programme
Living Well is a free group self-management programme. As living with a long-term health condition can be challenging, the Living Well programme supports you to develop the skills which will help you to live well with a long-term health condition(s). The Living Well programme has proven to be effective in helping people to manage their health conditions better.