Genetic Alliance UK

The archives of Genetic Alliance UK consist of minutes and agendas of the society's AGMs, Trustee Board and Operational Group, annual reports, and newsletters and publications produced by the society, either alone or in conjunction with other groups.

The Genetic Interest Group was founded in 1989 to give a voice to those people affected by genetic conditions. Shirley Dalby, of the Huntington's Disease Association realised that although many support groups had been set up for people affected by different conditions, there was no umbrella organisation where they could come together and share their knowledge and experience. 12-15 charities attended a workshop to discuss the setting up of the Genetic Interest Group.

For the first four years the Genetic Interest Group was run on a voluntary basis by Ann Hunt of the Tuberous Sclerosis Association from her home. She was later joined by a part time Secretary, loaned through Christine Lavery of Contact a Family. At the same time, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust offered to print the society newsletter GIG Today on a voluntary basis.

By 2010, the Genetic Interest Group had grown to represent 130 voluntary organisations, and employ five full time and one part time members of staff in their London head office, as well as two regional staff in Scotland and Wales.

In June 2010, the Genetic Interest Group changed their name to Genetic Alliance UK

More information can be found on the Genetic Alliance UK website

At Wellcome Collection:

SA/RRG, The Restricted Growth Association

The following is an interim description of material that has been acquired since this collection was catalogued. This description may change when cataloguing takes place in future:

1 file received January 2011 (acc. 1784), consisting of: newsletters Autumn 2008, Winter 2009, Spring 2009, Summer 2009, Autumn 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Autumn 2010; Insurance Project report, 2010; Annual reviews 2008 and 2009; Genetic Alliance UK leaflet