Support services

MRF has been supporting people for over thirty years and this has always remained a core pillar of our work.

Supporting someone who has gone through or is going through the worst time is immensely important and over the past few years we have expanded our support services to make them more accessible and more inclusive.

Meningitis meet ups

In 2019 we have been piloting our Meningitis Meet Ups programme.

Meet Ups were introduced to provide a hosted, informal, open and safe meeting place for all those with personal experience of meningitis and septicaemia.

These meetings were designed  for people to meet each other, build links with peers and access information from staff at Meningitis Research Foundation through centrally located meetings across the UK and Ireland. We hoped that they would help to reduce feelings of isolation, highlight our support services and enable us to sustain relationships with our members and others affected by this disease.

To date we have hosted 14 meet ups across the UK and Ireland meeting with nearly 40 people. We also supported an Ambassador for the charity to host a meningitis meet up.

• 100% of people who attended, advised their overall impression of the meet up was good or excellent
• 100% of people agreed or strongly agreed that the meningitis meet up helped them feel, more informed, more supported and less alone.

Pushing the Boundaries

Pushing the Boundaries -  Life after Limb Loss is a support day for families with children who have lost limbs due to meningitis and septicaemia. 

Families have the opportunity to get their questions answered by medical specialists, see the latest prosthetics, and meet other families who have been affected by the disease. Children with amputations, alongside their siblings, can get involved in a range of sporting activities with specialist coaches, whilst parents can listen to talks from expert clinicians specialising in rehabilitation medicine. 

This event is in its sixth year and we are always looking for new ways to enhance the day.  In 2020 we are also offering arts and crafts activities for the children, alongside the sports.

• 88% of people agreed or strongly agreed that they felt more informed, more supported and less alone
• 88% agreed or strongly agreed that they felt more optimistic about the future

Home visits

Home visits have always been an integral part of our support service.

We understand that face to face support is invaluable and we travel around the UK and Ireland when we are needed.

Home visits give the opportunity to talk in depth through questions and concerns someone may have.