About the Trust

Why we are here

Meningitis can strike in an instant but its impact can last a lifetime. As many as 500,000 people living in the UK today have had either viral or bacterial meningitis at some time in their lives. In addition up to 10 million adults in the UK – one adult in every four – knows of someone who has had the disease and may have been impacted.

Most people survive meningitis but thousands are left with debilitating after effects including deafness, blindness, limb loss, learning difficulties, memory issues and behavioural problems. The impact may also cause relationship difficulties and an enforced change of lifestyle.

At the same time experience of this dreadful disease can have an impact on families, friends, work colleagues and the community in which they live.

The Meningitis Trust is here to support every individual touched by meningitis and the Trust’s services and support are a lifeline to help them rebuild their lives. It also raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and associated septicaemia.

Our Vision is for everyone affected by meningitis to have access to support for life and for awareness levels of the disease to be such that lives are saved.

Our Mission is to:

• provide life long access to our support services for everyone affected for as long as they need it – enabling them to rebuild their lives
• raise awareness of the threat of meningitis, its symptoms and its consequences with health professionals and the general public – prompt action can save a life or reduce the likelihood of after-effects
• empower other people and organisations by working together - improving aftercare for people affected by meningitis in the UK and beyond
• continue to be the leading authority on the after-effects and aftercare of meningitis - fighting for those who need support for life

Values

Values are the beliefs of an organisation, the expression of what it stands for and how it will conduct itself. Values are the core of an organisation's being, defining culture, common behaviours and standards. They are a framework which supports an organisation’s vision and mission, underpinning policies, objectives, procedures and strategies. They provide an anchor and a reference point for all things that happen.

Core values for the Meningitis Trust are:

Professional – We are committed to achieving excellence in all that we do, to be the leading authority on the after-effects and aftercare of meningitis and striving for best practice at all times. We deliver our professional support services to the people who need them, making every penny count

Passion – We are driven by a commitment to provide professional support for people as long as they need it; transforming lives through helping people help themselves now and in the future. We have extensive knowledge of meningitis and its after-effects; and we share that knowledge to support others

Inclusion – We reach out to and involve people from all groups and communities

Respectful – We treat each other with respect and in confidence, showing consideration for the emotional and physical well being of other people.

People focussed – People are at our heart, however they have been touched by meningitis. We are caring, supportive and compassionate. We value staff and we work together as a team to make a difference. We enable people to take responsibility and make decisions, recognising everyone’s value and diversity.

Integrity – We are open and honest, accessible, transparent, accountable, trustworthy and ethical. We use time, money and resources to the best advantage.

Supportive – We actively support everyone who has been affected by meningitis. We are supportive to our colleagues, on a professional and personal level, and we support partner organisations.