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Coeliac UK GUTs is a support network for all Coeliac UK Members between the ages of
18 to 30. It provides a community through social media and offers the chance for young
adults with coeliac disease to meet up with others to discuss and share experiences.
The Group provides invaluable support, particularly through the transition to university
and college, moving out of home and starting work. It gives young adults the important
opportunity to connect with one another and share experiences, both online and in person.
GUTs runs both national and local events, including a weekend away; it also fundraises and
campaigns to improve the lives of young adults living with coeliac disease and dermatitis
herpetiformis (DH).
GUTs, previously known as the Coeliac UK Youth Group, was recently rebranded following
an online ‘new name competition’ which was won by Jean Finburg with her ingenious entry
‘GUTs’, standing for Gluten-free Under Thirties. GUTs was officially launched at the Group’s
AGM at the University of Leicester on 23 January 2016. They chose this location due to the
fantastic work the university has done in creating a Free From friendly campus.
The meeting had a fantastic turnout and engaged more Members than ever before. Big
congratulations to all those elected onto the Committee! The new GUTs Committee have got
lots of exciting and innovative ideas moving forward, such as university welcome packs and are
currently busy organising their annual weekend away which will take place in April. Make sure
you join their Facebook group for more information and to book your place. It’s definitely an
event not to be missed!
Their last Group
weekend away took
place in Birmingham
and was a huge success:
“For many people who
attended, they had
never met someone with
coeliac disease before
and it was ground
breaking for them to
not feel ashamed or
embarrassed. Having a
gluten-free beer and a
gluten-free pizza with
a group of people all
doing the same thing
and sharing stories
of things we have in
common made it a truly
important experience.”
Fearon Cassidy,
GUTs Committee
Read more about Fearon’s
story on page 47.
@CoeliacUKYG
Find out more about GUTs:
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