Virtual gatherings

Virtual Gatherings Guidelines

Throughout 2020 and the lockdowns due to COVID-19, the Encephalitis Society have held virtual meetings for members as a fun way to come together in self-isolation.

Feedback from attendees showed that the community love having a place to gather every week to share stories and experiences, no matter where they are from in the world. From 2021 we are continuing to host a weekly meeting with one of the support team as part of our regular offering, and are hosting additional meetings for specific parts of the community.

2021 meeting schedule:

Every Thursday 4-5pm (BST/GMT) – weekly gathering, open to all (with a member of the support team), starting from Thursday 7^th January, 2021.

Wednesday meetings, every six weeks, 6-7pm (BST/GMT) for people directly affected by encephalitis, as below (with a member of the support team, and volunteer with relevant experiences):

Wednesday 1st September, 6-7pm (BST)
Wednesday 13th October, 6-7pm (BST)
Wednesday 24th November, 6-7pm (GMT)

Wednesday meetings, every six weeks, 6-7.30pm (BST/GMT) for carers/family members/support networks, as below (with a member of the support team, and volunteer with relevant experiences):

Wednesday 22nd September, 6-7.30pm (BST)
Wednesday 3rd November, 6-7.30pm (GMT)
Wednesday 15th December, 6-7.30pm (GMT)

Further Wednesday groups will be advertised here and on our social media channels for next year.

We hold meetings via Zoom, a video chat website. If you interested in taking part, please get in touch*

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

Volunteer-led 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 (in the UK and the Republic of Ireland) who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis.

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

England

Greater Manchester region
Thursday 23rd September at 6pm
Tuesday 19th October at 6pm
Thursday 25th November at 6pm

London
Saturday 18th September at 10am
Saturday 9th October at 10am
Saturday 13th November at 10am
Saturday 11th December at 10am

Scotland
Saturday 4th September at 11am
Saturday 2nd October at 11am
Saturday 6th November at 11am
Saturday 4th December at 11am

Northern Ireland
Saturday 4th September at 12pm
Saturday 5th November at 12pm

Republic of Ireland
Saturday 25th September at 11am
Saturday 30th October at 11am
Saturday 27th November at 11am
Saturday 17th December at 11am

Australia and New Zealand are coming soon!
Check back here for more info.

If you are interested in joining any of these - or would like to set one up in your area* - please email Laura, Volunteer Manager - [email protected]**

*Please be mindful if you would like to run one in your area you will need to undergo online training which includes a Safeguarding course and a DBS police check.

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

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and events of the Encephalitis Society by becoming a free member today.

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