About us

Our vision is of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia

Meningitis Research Foundation is a leading international charity, working to defeat meningitis and septicaemia since 1989. In 2021, we strengthened our long-standing collaboration with the global member network, Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), becoming one organisation.

Together our vision is of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. A world where effective vaccinations can protect everyone from meningitis and septicaemia. A world where people who do get ill, often very seriously, get the most effective diagnosis and treatment possible. A world where those affected by meningitis and septicaemia, their families and communities have the best support possible. 

In order to achieve this vision, we have four goals: 

  • To enable research for better evidence and policy. 
  • To transform public and policy engagement in meningitis. 
  • To secure the profile and funds to deliver our goals. 
  • To grow our capacity to deliver at scale.

Read our 2021 – 2025 strategy for more on how we are achieving these goals.

We fund vital research, advocate for change as a dedicated champion for those meningitis and septicaemia affects and take action that directly benefits people.

Our work includes creating global awareness campaigns, working with health policy leads and practitioners in every region of the world, and providing on-demand support when and where people need it.

About Meningitis Research Foundation and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations  

A growing, international community of activists  

Our member arm, the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations, has over 120 members in more than 50 countries across the globe. We have activists campaigning to defeat meningitis in every region of the world.

Coordinating the global awareness day: World Meningitis Day  

We coordinate the annual global awareness day for meningitis, World Meningitis Day. Held every year on 5th October, World Meningitis Day is the global moment to raise awareness of meningitis as a public health emergency that must be defeated.

Investing in breakthrough research 

Since we were founded in 1989, we have invested more than £19.3 million into vital research that enables meningitis and septicaemia prevention, treatment and aftercare. We have funded over 160 grants in more than 20 countries and host the world’s leading research conference dedicated to meningitis.

Ensuring so no one faces meningitis alone 

Every day, we help people cope with the immediate and long-terms impacts of meningitis and septicaemia through our dedicated, one-to-one Support Services. Since the original helpline was launched in 1992 (now expanded to email and online chat), we have supported many thousands of people, so no one faces meningitis alone.

Working with global health leaders to defeat meningitis  

Since 2016, we have worked with the World Health Organisation and other global health leaders to develop a global plan to defeat meningitis. With the launch of the WHO’s Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 in 2021, we have continued our role on the WHO’s Technical Taskforce, where we work alongside many partners on the Road Map implementation.

Our values  

We are evidence led 

We pride ourselves on being grounded in facts. Research and evidence are at our core and remain essential to our work today, guided by our panel of scientific advisors and disease specialists.

We operate with integrity 

To the people we support and work with, we are a trusted source of information and learning. We weigh all of the evidence and operate with openness and transparency to exceed expectations and deliver the best services and responses. 

We pursue our goals with determination

We will not stop until we defeat meningitis. We will relentlessly seek answers, work tirelessly with purpose and are driven by those we help. Our dedication enables the best modern science, research and on-the-ground learning to work in the positive interests of individuals, families and communities impacted by meningitis and septicaemia. 

We are a passionate advocate

We are a united voice against meningitis and septicaemia and a dedicated champion for those it affects. We exist to ensure that the voices of our members, supporters and those impacted by meningitis and septicaemia around the world are heard. We inform and advise health policy and practice, driven to make a contribution to reducing the burden of the disease and its aftermath. 

We collaborate to make progress

We believe in partnership and collaboration. Whether we are supporting individuals and families impacted by the disease or working with international funding partners, we combine resources and expertise to deliver the absolute best results.

We act with compassion

We are driven by the stories of those we work for and with. We care deeply, listen and take the best action for each unique circumstance. Whether it’s providing direct support, finding the right information, or campaigning for the change that will make a real difference.