“It was good to share stories and learn about what support is available.”
Six families with an experience of meningitis gathered at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire for a day of fun, shared stories and interactive exhibits.
The day was blessed with sun and children had the opportunity to play outside whilst parents were able to chat and get to know each other. Families spent time in the interactive museum, exhibition centre, children’s playground and the focal piece of the site, the Lovell radio telescope.
Community Support Officer, Paul Blackburn says; “The thing I enjoyed the most was seeing the families have a space just for them, where they could relax and be around people who understood their situation without having to explain all their history.”
Available support
Families had the opportunity to speak with Meningitis Now staff about available support, such as our Believe & Achieve programme and the Rebuilding Futures Fund. Shared tables with colour-in tablecloths made for great ice breakers and the children played at a kid’s table set up with playdough, helping to create friendships that blossomed throughout the day.
One attendee reflected; “I gained an understanding of how other people deal with how meningitis affected them and that it’s ok to need extra support.” Another said; “It was good to share stories and learn about what support is available.”
Meet Julie
Julie had viral meningitis in May 2024. It left her unable to work and experiencing severe fatigue. Julie was unable to walk and had to start using a wheelchair. With two children to look after, Julie’s after-effects had a huge impact on family life.
Julie has been proactive in her healing journey, engaging with Meningitis Now to get support from her local Community Support Officer, accessing support from our Rebuilding Futures Fund for cranial osteopathy, and attending our six-week Anxiety Management course. Making friends in the meningitis now community has helped her understand her own situation and reduce the feeling of isolation.
Fun and relaxing
Julie says; “I am fascinated by space and when I saw the opportunity to come to a family day at Jodrell Bank Engagement Centre, I was so excited to register. It was the perfect event for our family to spend time together doing something fun and relaxing without having to plan any of it!
“Meningitis Now gave me advice and answers no one else in the NHS ever have. They will support our families for a lifetime.”
“I felt brave enough to go off on my own, no phone signal, no family, no carers. Just me and nature. I felt so alive, so free.”
Find out more about our support events here.
