VEDS Conference 2025

VEDS Conference 2025 ticket sales end Sunday 27 April click here to book

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We are delighted Annabelle's Challenge are once again jointly hosting a Vascular EDS Conference with the EDS Service, a highly specialised service commissioned by NHS England.

The conference takes place Saturday 10 & Sunday 11, May at the Village Hotel Bury, Manchester UK.

The theme of the conference is Living Well with vEDS and the programme will include a mixture of medical presentations from vEDS experts, research updates and workshops. The vEDS conference is a great opportunity for patients and families touched by the condition to meet others, share experience and form lasting friendships.

Registration is free for medical professionals and vEDS members of Annabelle's Challenge.

We will be hosting a private Meet & Greet for members arriving on Friday 9, May, this will take place in the Inspiration Hub.

The deadline to book conference tickets is: Sunday 27, April.

BOOK TICKETS

Saturday 10, May

8:00am – 9:30am

Registration

9:30am – 9:40am

Welcome and Introductions

Jared Griffin
Dr Glenda Sobey

9:40am – 10:00am

A unique collaboration between charity and a highly specialised NHS

Dr Glenda Sobey
Dr Fleur van Dijk

10:00am – 10:15am

Genetics of vEDS

Duncan Baker

10:15am – 10:45am

VEDS overview / Managing other medical conditions when you have vEDS

Dr Diana Johnson

10:45am – 11:00am

Cardiology and surveillance

Dr Oliver Watson

11:00am – 11:30am BREAK

11:30am – 12:00pm

Self-Advocacy & Emergency Care - Doing it well!

Juliette Harris & Jacqui Fish

12:00pm – 12:20pm

Scientific vEDS research into 'Variants of Uncertain Significance' and future research possibilities

Prof Meena Balasubramanian

12:20pm – 12:40pm

Current and future research prospects - NEEDS Study

Dr Fleur van Dijk
Dr Neeti Ghali

12:40pm – 12:50pm

Living well with vEDS - A personal experience

Dr Sophie Leftley, VEDS Member

12:50pm – 1:00pm

Group Photo

1:00pm – 2:00pm LUNCH

2:00pm – 2:30pm

Breakout Sessions

New to vEDS?
Prenatal/Pregnancy

2:30pm – 3:15pm

Discussion Groups

Mens Group
Teens
Parents & Carers
Younger adults
Ageing with vEDS

3:15pm – 3:30pm BREAK

3:30pm – 3:50pm

Living well with vEDS

Dr Neeti Ghali

3:50pm – 4:00pm

Living well with vEDS - A personal experience

Ryan Winter, VEDS Member

4:00pm – 4:15pm

Medications & Treatments

Jessica Bowen

4:15pm – 4:35pm

Exercise-based lifestyle intervention

Ian Thistlewood

4:35pm – 4:45pm

The Road to 2026 - The EDS Society

Prof Lara Bloom

4:45pm

Closing Remarks

David Catterall DL

7:00pm – 7:30pm

Welcome Drinks Reception

7:30pm – 11:00pm

Gala Dinner & Disco

Sunday 11, May

9:30am – 11:30am

Family Discussion Group (Research participants only)

Claire Green
Mariangels Ferrer Duch

10:30am - 10:35am

Day 2 Welcome

Jared Griffin

10:35am - 11:00am

Living with vEDS: What are the affects of partner relationships and family planning

Angharad Cullinane

11:00am - 11:45am

Mental Health & Wellbeing / How to access counselling

Zubyda Azzam, Rareminds

11:45am - 12:00pm

Closing Remarks

Jared Griffin

12:00pm

Conference close / Depart at leisure / Access hotel facilities

Download Programme

VEDS Conference Venue

Conference Venue

Bury boasts excellent transport links, including a Metrolink tram stop, providing a convenient 30-minute journey into Manchester. Immerse yourself in Manchester's vibrant culture, from its renowned museums and fantastic shopping to its lively arts scene and exciting nightlife.

The Village Hotel is located just off the M66 motorway and has a modern health club with a 25-metre pool, gym, and aerobics studio. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art leisure facilities and free parking.

If you have any queries regarding hotel accommodation at the Village Hotel please contact the events team direct on 0161 515 7279.

Book Accomodation

Alternative Hotels

Hotels located within a short 8-15 minute taxi / Uber ride from the Village Hotel Conference Venue

Kids & Teens Club

Kids and Teens Club

Families will be most welcome at the conference.

We will be providing a variety of sessions to keep our younger members entertained, we hope this will allow parents to fully participate in the conference.

Please note we can not accept children under the age of 3 into the Kids and Teens club.

Gala Dinner & Disco

Saturday Evening

Join us on the red carpet for a welcome drinks reception sponsored by The Village Hotel before heading to the Inspiration Suite for an evening gala dinner hosted by David Duplex from ICE Entertainment UK.

Tickets are free for children and adults, simply add to your conference delegate booking.

Airport Transfers

Manchester Airport

International delegates arriving at Manchester Airport will be greeted on arrival and transferred by Nolan Airport Services direct to the Village Hotel.

Your journey from Manchester airport to the conference venue will take approximately 40 minutes.

If you would like to visit London or Europe the nearest train station is Manchester Piccadilly with frequent trains operated by Avanti West Coast.

The approximate journey time is just over 2 hours from Manchester to central London & St Pancras International. You can also book tickets via trainline.

Scholarships

Attendee Scholarships

Scholarships are available to help offset the cost of hotel accommodations for Conference attendees with financial needs.

Scholarships are awarded based on the completion and evaluation of the scholarship application which is available from Annabelle's Challenge by calling us on 0800 917 8495 or email info@annabelleschallenge.org.

Scholarships provide partial assistance, covering one or two hotel nights. Travel expenses, such as flights, train tickets are not included.

Children and teens attend and stay for free with one registered adult or scholarship adult.