the space where no one faces eczema alone.

A soft arrival with refreshments, a gentle opening circle, a themed discussion about life beyond the itch, open peer support, and a short closing. No one is put on the spot at any point. You can see the full journey a little further up this page.

You can just listen. Plenty of people do, especially the first time. Listening is a completely valid way to be part of the circle, and nobody will single you out or go round the room making everyone speak.

Come exactly as you are. Everyone in the room knows what a flare feels like, nobody will stare, and nobody expects you to look or feel fine. Mid-flare, covered up, exhausted: you will be in good company. And if showing up feels like too much this month, the next circle will be there.

A small group of adults who live with eczema, plus sometimes a partner, family member or friend who supports someone who does. Occasionally medical students join a session to learn from lived experience, and only ever with the group's permission.

Yes, always. No charge, no sales, no pitch, nothing to buy. That will not change.

No. If eczema touches your life, whether it is diagnosed, suspected, or someone you care for has it, you are welcome. Nobody will ask for proof.

Yes. Alongside the in-person sessions, we hold a virtual circle session, usually once every two months. It exists to bridge the gap for people who cannot make it in person, and it is open to everyone. It is a proper session of the circle, held online, not just another internet group. Join the circle and you will hear when the next one is coming up.

Yes. A partner, friend or family member is very welcome to come with you. The circle is for adults, so everyone attending should be 18 or over.

Nothing sudden. You fill in the short form, we send you a welcome email, and we invite you to a short, friendly call with Rhys or Francis so you know a face before your first session. Then we add you to the WhatsApp community personally and tell you when the next session is. Every step is described on this page, and you can stop at any of them.

What is shared in the circle stays in the circle. We do not keep a record linking your name to anything you said. Sometimes we write up notes from a session: when we do, names are taken out, we keep the general themes of the conversation rather than who said what, and we tell you before it happens so you can say no for yourself. The one exception to all of this is safeguarding: if we were seriously worried that someone was at risk of harm, our safeguarding policy means we would act on that concern. You can read our safety and privacy statements on this site. And if a concern is ever about the people running the circle, that page also lists routes that do not go through us at all.

Yes. Everyone who joins the circle is a member: that is all it takes, with no separate form, no fee and no approval step. Being a member means belonging, and having a say: we try to include members in decisions about how the circle runs, though not every decision. And if you ever want to leave, just tell us and we will remove your details, no questions.

Then you rest, and nothing is lost. There is no register, no attendance streak and no expectation. Come to the next one, or the one after that. The WhatsApp community is there on the days your skin keeps you home.

Just stop coming, no explanation needed. If you would like your details removed, email ayr.circle@gmail.com and we will do it promptly and without questions.

Rhys, our Chair, and Francis, our Treasurer, who runs our regular support sessions. Both have lived with eczema their whole lives. The circle is peer-led: the people holding the space are people who genuinely get it.