ACT for Meningitis is a charity which aims to raise awareness and educate society about the signs and symptoms of meningitis while offering free support services in Ireland to those affected by the disease. Our support service is tailored to the needs of the individual or family to find the most appropriate and beneficial service for them.
What began as a family’s personal tragedy has become one of Ireland’s most influential health awareness charities. Since its founding in 2011, ACT for Meningitis has grown into a national voice for meningitis awareness and support, ensuring that no family has to face the disease alone.
In 2008, Siobhán and Noel Carroll from Galway faced the unimaginable loss of their four-year-old daughter Aoibhe, who died suddenly from meningitis. In the midst of their heartbreak, the Carrolls saw an urgent need for greater public awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and the devastating speed at which it can take hold. Determined to turn their pain into purpose, they launched ACT for Meningitis in 2011 — named in honour of Aoibhe and standing for Aoibhe Carroll Trust.
Raising awareness nationwide
From the outset, ACT for Meningitis set out to make a tangible difference. The organisation quickly gained attention for its grassroots approach to outreach: educational workshops, school visits and community engagement formed the backbone of its work.
Driving change through media and events
Over the years, ACT for Meningitis has successfully leveraged both traditional and digital media to amplify its campaigns. By 2018, its reach had expanded dramatically. A single March awareness campaign engaged over 200,000 people organically across social media. World Meningitis Day annually sees personal stories shared across national radio and newspapers, creating powerful connections between lived experience and public understanding. ACT founder Siobhán Carroll sits on the "Defeat meningitis by 2030" panel for the World Health Organization (WHO), and represents the charity at the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) global conference in various locations globally.