Family support

The Meningitis Trust provide support for anyone affected by meningitis and that includes the whole family, not just the individual affected.

Our Family Day which happens once a year is a fun day that provides families and individuals affected by meningitis with an opportunity to meet and share their experiences. It is a great opportunity for families new to the Trust to meet the team and find out more about support services available.

Family days are fun-focused days with arts, crafts, play therapy & music. They are designed for children who have had meningitis, their brothers and sisters and also for children who have lost someone close to meningitis. Adults affected by meningitis can also avail of the day whether it is through enjoying the day with their family or helping out as part of the team.

Parents can join in with the children’s activities, chat to Meningitis Trust staff & volunteers & also take the opportunity to meet other families & individuals who have been affected by meningitis.

On February 27th 2011 we held our third Family day at Dublin Zoo. A big thank you to Una Smith and the staff & volunteers of Dublin Zoo for helping to make the day possible. Attended by 14 families from around the country and 20+ volunteers and staff, it was a very busy but enjoyable day. The sun managed to shine for most of the day.

We were delighted to welcome Linsey McNelis & Nora Fahy, two play therapists from Galway who travelled to run two workshops on the day. Also in attendance was Siobhan Carroll our ‘World of a difference’ volunteer from Vodafone who is currently working with the trust for a three month period. Relaxation on the day was provided by Margaret McGuinness & Gerry Brady who volunteered their services as reiki practitioners for all attending.

If you would like any further information on Family Days and how they could help your family, please contact Lisa Slattery, our community services nurse, on 01- 8459488 or on lisas@meningitis-trust.ie.

"We would just like to say thanks to all at the Trust for a wonderful day on Sunday.  Thank you all so much for all of your efforts and hard work in organising this day.  We all enjoyed it so much and was so worthwhile for us.  It was great to meet other families with our story and they were all so lovely, we met some lovely people and brave children.  Our son had such fun and enjoyed his trip around the zoo.
 
So if you are going to have another Family Day next year put our name down we would travel any distance for such a special day."
Family from Co Clare