This year's theme is Behind the Gene. 

The invisible challenges and untold stories of Huntington’s disease.


Too often, people affected by Huntington's disease find themselves educating the public about their condition. 

Not everyone has heard of Huntington’s disease, and that includes healthcare professionals. A staggering 85% of 150 people asked in a recent survey had to educate a doctor, nurse or healthcare professional about Huntington’s disease. This is just one of the many challenges the Huntington’s community faces. We are trying to change this.

Community involvement

The involvement in the lead-up to this year's awareness month has been incredible. 

So far we have sent out:

  • 21 pop-up event packs
  • 69 factsheet distribution packs

If you can't see your area on the map below, you can register to be one of our distributors this May.

You can take these to your local GP, hospitals, care homes, or any healthcare setting where there is an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage training around Huntington's disease.

Factsheet distribution - Behind the gene

Below is a list of pop-up events - if you are close by, say hello and show your support

There are 21 awareness month events being held during May across England and Wales. Some are taking place in care homes but below is a list of ones that our community may want to visit.

1 May - Isle of Wight - Leisure Medina, PO30 2EW
5  May - Stroud - Chalfird Sports and Social Club, GL6 8LZ
6 May - Birmingham - Kings Heath Train Station
6 May - Liverpool - Neuroscience Research Centre, L9 7LJ
7 May - Sandiacre, Nottingham - Buonnissimo Restaurant
10 May - Torpoint, Cornwall - Torpoint Highstreet Market, PL11 2AA
12 May - Barnsley - New Options Gym, Grimethorp
15 May - Hull - Morrisons, Holderness Road, HU9 3JA
22 May - Sheffield - Devonshire Arms, S5 7HE
23 May - Wokingham - Waitrose, Rectory Road, RG40 1BB

How you can get involved

Tampworth support group (1)

Host a pop-up event

Host your own awareness raising or fundraising pop-up event in your local area. If you are interested in holding one, you can find out more and register below to receive our pop-up event pack.

Register your pop-up

awareness 1

Distribute factsheets

Can you help us by distributing training and awareness factsheets to healthcare settings in your local area? Last year 25 areas were covered.

Register to become a distributer

HDYV in Parliament

Share your story

You can share quotes or videos with us or even feature in a blog. The theme is your life in a Huntington's family and what you wish others knew about Huntington's disease.

Share your story form

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Download our press release templates

Local press love real stories and this is a great way to help raise awareness. We have created templates for you to share your story or pop-up event this May.

Download template

Profile picture  badge  Behind the Gene (2)

Use our social badges and graphics

Show your support this awareness month by changing your profile picture or sharing our graphics.

Download graphics

#HDWalk logo

Do your own HDWalk

Built around the idea that every step tells a story, HDWalk is our new awareness month fundraiser. You could choose to walk to honour someone you love or walk to mark a milestone in your own Huntington’s journey.

Sign up here

Attend one of our awareness month events

Finding your way - Becky

Finding your way: Awareness Month special

13 May 2026 - 7:00pm

For families, Support

Read more

Family Voices webinar image

Huntington's and me: family members talk about their experiences

20 May 2026 - 7:00pm

For families, Support

Read more

Read the stories from the Huntington's community

Behind the gene

Behind the gene - Susan's story

Awareness, Carers, Community stories

Read more

Behind the gene

Behind the gene - Dawn's story

Awareness, Community stories, Youth engagement service, Carers

Read more

Behind the gene

Behind the gene - Lisa's story

Awareness, Community stories, Carers

Read more

Behind the gene

People with Huntington’s disease deserve to get the best care possible

Professionals, Support

Read more

Behind the gene

Behind the gene - Becky's story

Community stories, Awareness

Read more

Behind the gene

Behind the gene - Maureen's story

Awareness, Community stories

Read more

Educating health and social care professionals

During May, we will be launching our new expert professional guidelines. These have been created especially for Huntington's disease and co-produced with specialists from the health and social care sector.

We are also launching our Care Coordination report in Parliament which calls for better care coordination for people affected by Huntington's disease in England and Wales. Please help us by inviting your MP to attend

Behind the gene - educating professionals

What we do

Huntington's disease

We support adults and families

Support near you

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We support children and young people

Youth engagement service

Training

We support healthcare professionals

Professionals and training

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