A CHARITY that supports people with Functional neurologic disorder (FND) has said its Newton Abbot office is at risk of closure amid a shortage of funding.

FND FrieNDs, a South West-based charity promoting awareness and support for those living with FND, opened its office at Bridge House in 2020.

‘Before the Devon office opened people living in Teignbridge and Torbay had no access to in person support after their diagnosis, so to be able to have this service is truly life changing’ the charity’s Chairman, Mandy Hall, said.

But the future of the Newton Abbot office is uncertain as the charity says it is struggling to find funding to cover its core costs, as well as for its drop-in service, which provides support for both children and adults in the town and further afield.

FND FrieNDs could be forced to close its Newton Abbot office in July if it does not find new funding.

‘With out this service our nearest support is Bristol or London’, Mandy said.

The charity, which works closely with the NHS, offers all manner of services, including specialist FND workshops, a wellbeing craft group and pain café, as well as information and sign-posting.

‘The list is endless’ Mandy said.

‘If we do not get any funding all of this ends.

‘FND FrieNDs is charity for people with FND, run by people with FND, sharing our lived experience to support others and giving the patients a voice’ Mandy added.

A registered charity, FND FrieNDs is now appealing to the community for help.

‘Please help us by sharing far and wide to help get our message out there’ Mandy said.

For more information, and for details about how to donate to FND FrieNDs, visit the charity’s website or send an email to [email protected]

FND can cause multiple symptoms that significantly interfere with how a person functions and copes with daily life, including seizure-like episodes, movement problems and issues with cognitive function.