Virtual gatherings

Virtual Gatherings Guidelines

We host weekly and monthly virtual gatherings to connect our members across the world. They are a great chance to meet like-minded people who have experienced encephalitis directly or indirectly. We aim to keep these calls accessible, friendly, supportive and safe.

We hold meetings via Zoom, a video chat website. 

Some feedback we have received:

"Thank you so much for the wonderful online gathering! There have been times when I have wondered who else knows how much it takes to fight this. After today, I realise I am not alone."

2023 meeting schedule:

Weekly:

Every Thursday 4-5pm (GMT/BST) – open to all (with a member of the support team). These calls will begin on Thursday 12th January 2023.

Monthly:

For people directly affected by encephalitis (with a member of the support team, and volunteer with relevant experiences), as follows:

  • Wednesday 18th January, 6-7pm (GMT)
  • Wednesday 8th February, 6-7pm (GMT)
  • Wednesday 8th March, 6-7pm (GMT)
  • Wednesday 12th April, 6-7pm (GMT)

For carers/family members/support networks (with a member of the support team, and volunteer with relevant experiences), as follows:

  • Wednesday 18th January, 6-7.30pm (GMT)
  • Wednesday 15th February, 6-7.30pm (GMT)
  • Wednesday 15th March, 6-7.30pm (GMT)
  • Wednesday 19th April, 6-7.30pm (GMT)

For parents/guardians of children affected by encephalitis (with a member of the support team, and volunteer with relevant experiences), as follows:

  • Wednesday 25th January, 6-7pm (GMT)
  • Tuesday 21st February, 6-7pm (GMT)
  • Wednesday 22nd March, 6-7pm (GMT)
  • Wednesday 26th April, 6-7pm (GMT)

We will have an additional meeting on World Encephalitis Day to mark the occasion together as a community:

  • Wednesday 22nd February 8-9pm (GMT)

We are also running a virtual gathering for those who have experienced bereavement as a result of encephalitis (with at least one member of the support team), as follows:

  • Wednesday 15th March 2023 at 6pm (GMT)

If you interested in taking part in any of the above, please get in touch *

*Please register your interest at least 24 hours before a meeting.

Further meetings for 2023 will be advertised here and on our social media channels.  

Please note that you need to be an Encephalitis Society member to access these meetings. If you are not already a member, please sign up today to become a Member! Membership is free.

Regional Virtual Gatherings 

A number of our trained Support Volunteers also hold regular regional virtual gatherings on Zoom. These are a fantastic way to meet and connect with other members of the Society in your local area who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis.

We have the following set up so far (BST/GMT):

England
North West
Thursday 23rd March at 6.30pm

London
Tuesday 10th January at 6pm
Tuesday 14th February at 6pm

Scotland
Wednesday 29th March at 7pm

Northern Ireland
Tuesday 17th January at 6pm

Republic of Ireland
Monday 9th January at 6pm
Tuesday 7th February at 6pm
Tuesday 7th March at 6pm

Wales (pilot call)
TBC

Australia and New Zealand
Wednesday 1 February - get in touch for local time
Wednesday 1 March - get in touch for local time

If you are interested in joining any of these calls, please register your interest at least 24 hours prior to the meeting by emailing Laura, Volunteer and Wellbeing Manager - [email protected] 

Our volunteers also run in-person support groups in some of the above regions, for more info click here

If you don't see your area covered and would like to set one up, please email Laura - [email protected] for a chat*.

*Please be mindful if you would like to run one in your area you will need to train as a Support Volunteer which includes a Safeguarding course and a police check.



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