Resources

Our Ambassador programme aims to amplify the voices of people affected by meningitis to raise awareness of the disease across the UK.

With personal experiences of meningitis – either themselves or through a close family member – Ambassadors share their journey to help others understand the disease, its true impact on people’s lives and what to do to defeat it. For full details, please see our Ambassador role profile.

Our Ambassadors share powerful first-hand experiences of meningitis through talks, presentations, media interviews, events and more to move and inspire others to join the fight to defeat meningitis. We will work with you to explore the different ways you can share your story and find the best fit for you.

To learn more about the different types of activities and events Ambassadors get involved with, please see our Ambassador role profile.

Not at all. While it’s helpful to understand the basics of meningitis, we don’t expect you to be a medical expert. We’ll provide you with a reading list of key information and a template slide deck with comprehensive notes you can use for presentations.

Your primary role as an Ambassador is to share your personal experience with meningitis. You won’t be asked to quote data or explain the science behind the disease.

If you’re ever asked a question you can’t answer, simply direct them to our support team, who are equipped to help.

You’ll find lots of opportunities right in your local community. Think about places and groups that are already active. Here are some ideas:

• Educational settings: Connect with nurseries, schools, colleges or universities.
• Community hubs: Local community centres, libraries or sports clubs are great places to engage.
• Seasonal events: Look out for summer fetes, winter fairs or other local gatherings.
• Local media: A local radio station or newspaper can be a powerful way to reach a wider audience.
• Social media: Explore Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) groups for your local community or businesses in your area.
• Your workplace: Consider sharing your story at your office, in a colleague newsletter or on your company’s social accounts.

If you have an idea for outreach in your community, please let us know so we can help you make it happen.

We’ll also actively help you find opportunities, especially when you’re just starting out. As you build relationships in your community, you’ll likely find even more avenues to share your experience.

Our Ambassadors carry out a range of activities, and as such there is no minimum time commitment – it is flexible and intended to fit around your life. However, Ambassadors will need to be prepared to give up some of their time to carry out activities and attend events. We rely on everyone to ‘do their bit’ so we can keep raising awareness of the disease in communities across the UK.

You’ll have several opportunities to connect with other Ambassadors.

We host online catch-ups every few months. These are friendly, safe spaces where you can meet other Ambassadors, share your experiences, discuss any challenges and get updates from the Meningitis Research Foundation team.

We also hold in-person meetings that you’re always welcome to attend. Additionally, you might meet fellow Ambassadors at other Meningitis Research Foundation events, such as race cheer points or conferences.

For informal chats and information sharing, you can join our Ambassador Facebook group. It’s a great space to connect with other volunteers.

The Ambassador position is a voluntary role, and therefore, it is not paid.

However, we do cover approved expenses for activities related to your outreach, such as travel and refreshments. You can find more details in our expenses policy.

Becoming an Ambassador is a valuable addition to your CV and can significantly strengthen education or job applications. We are happy to provide references for Ambassadors who are pursuing these opportunities and help you share the amazing skills and experience you’ve gained through your volunteering with us.

Becoming a Meningitis Research Foundation Ambassador is a big commitment, so it’s important that you recognise whether it’s the right choice for you at this particular time. We understand that people’s circumstances can change and ask that, if you’re no longer able to be involved, you please let us know as soon as possible. This is so that we can celebrate your amazing contribution, as well as start the process for finding a new Ambassador.