A man and a woman sat at a table together whilst the man is crafting. The woman is talking and the man is smiling.

What we do

From our home in the UK, we are a global meningitis charity providing world-leading research, campaigns, advocacy and support services to protect communities and influence health policy.

At Meningitis Research Foundation, we are a global charity dedicated to defeating meningitis.

From our home in the UK, we lead pioneering meningitis research, run life-saving health campaigns, and provide vital support to people living with meningitis.

We work to improve health policy worldwide and advocate for change so more lives can be saved. At the heart of everything we do is fundraising, which powers our vision of a world free from meningitis.

Investing in research

We invest in meningitis research because evidence drives action. We:

Fund projects that spark breakthrough science to help defeat meningitis.
Act as a catalyst for genomics research, revealing the origins and evolution of meningitis pathogens.
Bring leading global experts together at our world-leading events, to fuel innovation.
Use scientific insights to influence policy and practice.

Did you know?

Since 1989, we’ve awarded over 160 research grants, investing over £19.5 million in meningitis prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Campaigns and advocacy

Our meningitis health campaigns raise awareness in the UK and across the world, influencing health policy and individual action to save lives. We:

Drive awareness all year round, with a peak on World Meningitis Day (the world’s largest day of collective action against meningitis).
Amplify the voices of people affected by meningitis, so decision-makers understand the true impact of the disease and why it must be a health priority.
Strengthen global collaboration through our Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) member network, giving communities the tools to drive change in their countries.

Did you know?

In 2015, we worked with the World Health Organization on the first global roadmap to defeat meningitis. Today, we sit on the WHO taskforce implementing it.

Helping people live with meningitis

Supporting people affected by all aspects of meningitis has been at the heart of who we are since we were founded in 1989. We:

Provide the most comprehensive meningitis support in the UK and Ireland, via phone, chat, social media and email.
Run outreach programmes in communities at greatest risk and where there is the greatest unmet need for more health information and support.
Offer global, round-the-clock expert information online, created with our Ambassadors and CoMO members to ensure it answers your questions on meningitis.
In the UK and Ireland, connect people with evidence-based advice and medical specialists so they can make informed decisions that protect them and their loved ones.

Did you know?

Our Ambassadors share their experiences of meningitis through talks and media interviews, deepening understanding and inspiring action across the UK and Ireland.

Fundraising to defeat meningitis

Fundraising powers every part of our work. For many of our supporters, who often have a deep and personal connection to meningitis, it also offers a trusted space in the face of loss, grief or hope for change. We:

Create a community of fundraisers who connect through adventures, challenges and shared purpose.
Work with leading scientific and health organisations who trust and support our mission.