A NEW support group has been set up to help people suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Durham Fibro Haven is holding weekly sessions at St Edmund’s Hall in Bearpark between 11.30am and 1.30pm each Tuesday.

The group will offer support for people suffering from a range of conditions, including fibromyalgia, lupus and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Su Madden, who has fibromylalgia, helped to set the group up after meeting other people with similar conditions at a support group in Stanley.

She said: “There’s absolutely nothing in Durham or the surrounding areas and we do know of people in the area who have the conditions.

“I’ve been going to a group in Stanley which is brilliant but it’s quite far, especially when it’s painful to drive.

“I don’t know how I would have survived without them this year. It’s been massively important.”

She added: “Basically we’re going to offer support and get people to come along and meet people who suffer in the same way.

“Even just getting people out of their houses is important because so many people don’t go out because they find it so hard. If we can get people out they can talk to other people about it without having someone rolling their eyes.”

The group has plans to invite guests to speak on a range of relevant topics.