Peer Support Group Guidelines - click to read our guidelines.

We host weekly and monthly Online Peer Support Groups to connect our supporters 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 calls 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."

Sponsor a meeting. We are looking for businesses, organisations and individuals to sponsor an in-person or virtual meeting. If you are interested, please get in touch.

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2023 schedule:

Weekly:

Every Thursday 4-5pm (GMT/BST) – open to all (with a member of the support team). Please note there will be not be a call on Thursday 16th November due to staff resource. Our last weekly call of 2023 will be on Thursday 7th December.

Monthly:

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

• Wednesday 6th December, 6-7pm (GMT)

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

• Wednesday 13th December, 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 29th November, 6-7pm (GMT)

We also run an Online Peer Support Group for those who have experienced bereavement as a result of encephalitis (with at least one member of the support team):

• Tuesday 23rd January 2024, 6-7pm (GMT)

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

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

Regional Online Peer Support Groups 

A number of our trained Support Volunteers also run regular Regional Online Peer Support Groups 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
Wednesday 13th December at 6pm

London
Tuesday 12th December at 6pm

South West 
Monday 27th November at 6pm

Yorkshire/Humber and the North East 
Monday 11th December at 6.30pm

Scotland
Wednesday 13th December at 7pm

Northern Ireland
Thursday 21st September at 6.30pm

Republic of Ireland
Monday 4th December at 6.30pm

Australia and New Zealand
Wednesday 6th December - get in touch for local time

If you are interested in joining any of these regional 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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