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.
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:
For carers/family members of adults affected by encephalitis (with a member of the support team, and volunteer with relevant experiences), as follows:
For parents/guardians of children affected by encephalitis (with a member of the support team, and volunteer with relevant experiences), as follows:
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), the next one will be in January 2024, exact date TBC. Please check back here for further info.
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.
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
Friday 20th October at 6pm
Wednesday 13th December at 6pm
London
Tuesday 7th November at 6pm
Tuesday 12th December at 6pm
South West
Monday 30th October at 6pm
Monday 27th November at 6pm
Yorkshire/Humber and the North East
Monday 13th November at 6.30pm
Monday 11th December at 6.30pm
Scotland
Wednesday 25th October at 7pm
Wednesday 13th December at 7pm
Northern Ireland
Thursday 21st September at 6.30pm
Republic of Ireland
Monday 6th November at 6.30pm
Monday 4th December at 6.30pm
Australia and New Zealand
Wednesday 1st November – get in touch for local time
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 – laura@encephalitis.info
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 – laura@encephalitis.info 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.
