Meningitis Research Foundation

Who we are

Meningitis Research Foundation is a leading UK and international charity working to defeat meningitis wherever it exists.

Over the past 30 years MRF has developed into the world’s leading meningitis charity working both in the UK and internationally to defeat meningitis wherever it exists.

Our vision is of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. A world where effective vaccinations can protect everyone. A world where people who do get the diseases get the most effective diagnosis and treatments possible. A world where people affected and their families have the best support and information.

To achieve this, we bring together people and expertise, linking patient experience, research, policy and practice. We do this by supporting research into effective vaccines, diagnostics and treatments. We share results of the research with the public, health care professionals and research networks to raise awareness of what they can do to increase personal, family and community protection, optimise treatments and strengthen health systems. We provide direct support to people and families affected. We believe that working in partnership, the knowledge, experience, skills and finance available from the private sector are essential to achieving long term and sustainable impacts. We fundraise, inform and educate.

Our flagship work includes:

·      Being a member of the WHO Technical Task Force to defeat meningitis by 2030.

·      Running the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) which represents over 125 like-minded members in more than 50 countries.

·      Hosting a one-stop-shop for the best data for modelled estimates on burden of meningitis called the Meningitis Progress Tracker, now used over 50,000 times in more than 100 countries.

·      Co-leading on the advocacy and engagement pillar of the new global road map with UNICEF.

·      Providing a secretariat support function for the Global Meningitis Genome Partnership building on the establishment of the Global Meningitis Genome Library.

·      Delivering an internationally renowned research conference every 2 years showcasing latest cutting-edge research on meningitis from around the world.

·      Funding research into meningitis, especially related to genomics and the lifetime impact of meningitis.

·      Providing a world class website and support service that has over 2 million uses each year.

Our culture and values

Our values are extremely important to us and mean far more to us than words on a page.

We are evidence-led.

We pride ourselves on being grounded in facts. Research and evidence are at our core and remain essential to our work today – guided by our panel of scientific advisors and disease specialists. This approach ensures we provide considered responses to the challenges brought about by the disease, wherever they may be found.

We operate with integrity.

To the people we support and work with, we are a trusted source of information and learning. We weigh all of the evidence and operate with openness and transparency to exceed expectations and deliver the best services and responses - be that helping a family or working with health organisations around the world.

We pursue our goals with determination.

We will not stop until we defeat meningitis. We will relentlessly seek answers, work tirelessly with purpose and are driven by those we help. Our dedication enables the best modern science, research and on-the-ground learning to work in the positive interests of individuals, families and communities impacted by meningitis and septicaemia, both here in the UK and in communities around the world

We are a passionate advocate.

We are a united voice against meningitis and septicaemia and a dedicated champion for those it affects. We exist to ensure that the voices of our members, supporters and those impacted by meningitis and septicaemia in the UK and around the world, are heard and not forgotten. We are highly focused in our work and inform and advise health policy and practice, driven to make a contribution to reducing the burden of the disease and its aftermath.

We collaborate to make progress.

We believe in partnership and collaboration. Whether we are supporting individuals and families who have been impacted by the disease, working with international funding partners or supporting on-the-ground health teams working in challenging environments, we combine resources and expertise to deliver the very best results. We share the knowledge we’ve gained through more than 30 years of work to support and enable those impacted by or battling to defeat the disease.

We act with compassion.

We are driven by the stories of those we work for and with. We care deeply, listen and take the best action for each unique circumstance. Whether it’s providing direct support, finding the right information, or campaigning for the change that will make a real difference.

More information can be found on the MRF website

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Our values are extremely important to us and mean far more to us than words on a page.

We are evidence-led.

We pride ourselves on being grounded in facts. Research and evidence are at our core and remain essential to our work today – guided by our panel of scientific advisors and disease specialists. This approach ensures we provide considered responses to the challenges brought about by the disease, wherever they may be found.

We operate with integrity.

To the people we support and work with, we are a trusted source of information and learning. We weigh all of the evidence and operate with openness and transparency to exceed expectations and deliver the best services and responses - be that helping a family or working with health organisations around the world.

We pursue our goals with determination.

We will not stop until we defeat meningitis. We will relentlessly seek answers, work tirelessly with purpose and are driven by those we help. Our dedication enables the best modern science, research and on-the-ground learning to work in the positive interests of individuals, families and communities impacted by meningitis and septicaemia, both here in the UK and in communities around the world

We are a passionate advocate.

We are a united voice against meningitis and septicaemia and a dedicated champion for those it affects. We exist to ensure that the voices of our members, supporters and those impacted by meningitis and septicaemia in the UK and around the world, are heard and not forgotten. We are highly focused in our work and inform and advise health policy and practice, driven to make a contribution to reducing the burden of the disease and its aftermath.

We collaborate to make progress.

We believe in partnership and collaboration. Whether we are supporting individuals and families who have been impacted by the disease, working with international funding partners or supporting on-the-ground health teams working in challenging environments, we combine resources and expertise to deliver the very best results. We share the knowledge we’ve gained through more than 30 years of work to support and enable those impacted by or battling to defeat the disease.

We act with compassion.

We are driven by the stories of those we work for and with. We care deeply, listen and take the best action for each unique circumstance. Whether it’s providing direct support, finding the right information, or campaigning for the change that will make a real difference.

More information can be found on the MRF website