What Meningitis Now does

Meningitis Now is a UK-registered charity (England & Wales 803016, Scotland SC037790) founded in 1986 as the world's first meningitis patient group and the founder of the global meningitis movement. It operates from Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire with a headcount of 11–50 employees and is led by CEO Dr Tom Nutt under a board chaired by Chris Philipsborn. The organisation addresses the UK's approximately 8,000 annual meningitis cases through three integrated pillars: research funding (over £12.7 million cumulatively through the Spencer Dayman Research Fund, contributing to five life-saving vaccines), direct support services (nurse-led helpline, five regionally distributed Community Support Officers, peer support groups on Facebook and HealthUnlocked, the Believe & Achieve youth programme, bereavement support, legal support via partner law firms, and the Rebuilding Futures Fund providing grants up to £1,000), and public-facing awareness and advocacy (signs-and-symptoms materials, vaccine information, and the active 'No Plan B for MenB' campaign). All services are provided free of charge to UK residents affected by meningitis.

The charity does not develop proprietary technology; its digital infrastructure relies on third-party platforms including Recite Me (accessibility), Stripe/Go Cardless/PayPal (payments), JustGiving/Enthuse/Facebook Donate (fundraising), HealthUnlocked (peer support), Woods Valldata (lottery), and Nimble Elearning (training). The revenue model is entirely donation-based with no government funding and seven distinct income streams: individual donations (including monthly Direct Debits and funeral/in-memory giving), a weekly lottery operated with Woods Valldata, mass-participation fundraising events (Five Valleys Walk, London Marathon, Three Peaks Challenge), corporate partnerships (pharmaceutical, legal, and other sectors), grants from 91 charitable trusts and foundations in 2024-25, legacy gifts via Wills, and Gift Aid reclamation. The organisation states an annual fundraising requirement of £3 million to sustain operations, and pursues a community-led go-to-market model combining nationwide volunteer networks, healthcare-professional engagement, schools/universities outreach, and corporate partnerships.

Name

Meningitis Now

Legal name

Meningitis Now

Website

https://meningitisnow.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Meningitis Now is the UK's leading meningitis charity, founded in 1986, providing free research, awareness, and direct support services — including a nurse-led helpline, community support officers, peer support, and financial grants — to people in the UK affected by meningitis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Meningitis Charity Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Medical Missions & Global Health NGOs (BPAGACAI)

Keywords

• Meningitis charity services
• Meningitis research funding
• Patient support programmes
• Meningitis awareness campaigns
• Community health charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Gloucester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-off and regular donations from individual supporters, including monthly Direct Debits and credit/debit card payments. The charity also receives funeral donations and fundraising/sponsorship donations.
2. Weekly Lottery: Weekly lottery scheme operated in partnership with Woods Valldata, providing regular income while offering participants a chance to win prizes.
3. Fundraising Events: Income from mass-participation events such as the Five Valleys Walk, London Marathon, Three Peaks Challenge, and other fundraising activities organized by supporters.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses including corporate donations, charity of the year partnerships, employee fundraising, and payroll giving schemes. Partners include pharmaceutical companies, law firms, and various businesses.
5. Trusts and Foundations: Grants from charitable trusts and foundations. 91 grant-making bodies supported the cause in 2024-25, including National Lottery Community Fund, The James Tudor Foundation, and others.
6. Legacies and Wills: Gifts in Wills (bequests) from supporters who leave legacies to the charity in their estate planning.
7. Gift Aid: UK Government Gift Aid scheme allowing the charity to reclaim 25p on every £1 donated by UK taxpayers at no extra cost to the donor.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Meningitis Now is the UK's leading meningitis charity, providing free emotional, practical and financial support to people affected by meningitis through a nurse-led helpline, Community Support Officers across the UK, peer support groups, bereavement services, the Rebuilding Futures Fund (grants up to £1,000), and the Believe & Achieve youth programme. The charity also funds meningitis research via the Spencer Dayman Research Fund (over £12.7 million invested, contributing to five life-saving vaccines) and runs awareness campaigns on signs, symptoms and vaccination. All services are provided free of charge to UK residents and funded entirely through voluntary donations.

Product overview

Meningitis Now is a UK-based charity operating as a single unified organisation rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its core offerings centre on three interconnected pillars: (1) Support Services encompassing a nurse-led helpline, Community Support Officers, peer support groups (Facebook and HealthUnlocked), the Believe & Achieve programme for 11-25 year olds, the Rebuilding Futures Fund providing financial grants, bereavement support, support events, legal support partnerships, and the Recite Me accessibility toolbar; (2) Information and Education including the Meningitis Explained knowledge hub, downloadable resources, vaccine information service, and research programme; and (3) Advocacy through campaigns like 'No Plan B for MenB'. The organisation also provides fundraising tools via its donation portal and weekly lottery. All services are free of charge to UK residents affected by meningitis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nurse-led Helpline Free confidential nurse-led helpline (0808 80 10 388) available 9am-4pm Monday-Thursday and 9am-1pm Friday, accessible via phone, email, post and social media with translation in 240+ languages and Next Generation Text Service, providing emotional support, vaccine and after-effects information, and referrals to other support services for anyone affected by meningitis in the UK.
• Community Support Officers (CSOs) Community-based one-to-one support provided by five CSOs covering Scotland & Northern Ireland, North England, Wales & West Midlands & South West England, and East Midlands & South East & East Anglia, offering emotional support, after-effects information, financial support guidance, and school/employer liaison for people affected by meningitis across the UK.
• Peer Support Groups Closed and moderated online peer support communities on Facebook and HealthUnlocked connecting people affected by meningitis, including a dedicated bereavement support group for UK residents over 18, allowing participants to share experiences and access mutual support.
• Believe & Achieve Programme Bespoke support programme for young people aged 11-25 affected by meningitis, helping them overcome challenges, set and reach goals, learn new skills, and connect with peers through dedicated events, weekends, and a support network.
• Rebuilding Futures Fund Financial support programme providing grants of up to £1,000 across four categories (Health & Wellbeing, Opportunities for Education & Retraining, Bereavement, and Specialist Equipment) for people affected by meningitis in the UK, with 82 awards totalling more than £63,000 made in the fund's first year.
• Bereavement Support Services Comprehensive bereavement support service for families who have lost loved ones to meningitis, including Community Support Officer assistance, a closed Facebook bereavement support group, Forever Events weekends for bereaved adults, and referrals to specialist bereavement organisations.
• Support Events Free support events delivered online and across the UK, including Family Days, Believe & Achieve Weekends for young people, Forever Events for bereaved families, Online Support Events, and Regional Connect Events for the meningitis community.
• Legal Support Services Legal support partnership programme connecting people affected by meningitis with specialist UK law firms including Irwin Mitchell, Enable Law, Clarke Willmott LLP, Stewarts, and RedKite Solicitors for guidance on practical and legal issues following meningitis.
• Research Programme (Spencer Dayman Research Fund) Charitable research programme funding vital meningitis research across the UK via the Spencer Dayman Research Fund, with over £12.7 million invested to date and contributions to the introduction of five life-saving vaccines, supported by a rigorous peer-review application process.
• No Plan B for MenB Campaign Public advocacy campaign calling for MenB vaccination protection for all those most at risk, campaigning for a routine adolescent MenB vaccination programme alongside the current infant schedule, including parliamentary engagement activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £12.7 million invested in research, contributing to five life-saving vaccines
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Enable LawcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEnable Law is one of the UK's leading specialist medical negligence, personal injury and mental capacity law firms. They partner with Meningitis Now and are featured as the firm's featured firm of the month. The firm gives an annual donation to help fund Meningitis Now's unrivalled meningitis aftercare services.
• Irwin MitchellcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIrwin Mitchell is the 20th largest law firm in the UK and amongst the top 50 in Europe, operating out of 10 offices across the UK. They partner with Meningitis Now and give an annual donation to help fund the charity's aftercare services.
• StewartscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStewarts are one of the UK's leading clinical negligence law firms. They partner with Meningitis Now and give an annual donation to help fund the charity's aftercare services.
• Clarke Willmott LLPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerClarke Willmott LLP are a leading law firm offering expert advice on a broad range of complex legal services. They partner with Meningitis Now and give an annual donation to help fund the charity's aftercare services.
• Carter-RuckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarter-Ruck has supported Meningitis Now over many years in memory of Georgia Tait who tragically lost her life to meningitis at age 18. They give an annual donation.
• RedKite SolicitorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRedKite Solicitors have been in business for over a century and help individuals, families and businesses across Wales and England resolve their legal issues. They partner with Meningitis Now.
• PfizerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPfizer is one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies. They are a corporate partner of Meningitis Now.
• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGSK is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. They are a corporate partner of Meningitis Now.
• National Lottery Community FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHas made a significant contribution towards Meningitis Now's Believe and Achieve Programme for 11-25 year olds. The National Lottery Community Fund supports communities across the UK.
• The James Tudor FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Meningitis Now's nurse-led Helpline. The James Tudor Foundation provides grants for healthcare and related charitable causes.
• The D'Oyly Carte Charitable TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Meningitis Now's Rebuilding Futures Fund, which provides financial support for people affected by meningitis.
• Scottish Children's Lottery TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Believe & Achieve and Rebuilding Futures Fund for children across Scotland.
• Ulster Garden VillagesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Meningitis Now's Community Support work in Northern Ireland.
• Summerfield Charitable TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Meningitis Now's Rebuilding Futures Fund awards in Gloucestershire.
• The Shanly FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Meningitis Now's Rebuilding Futures Fund awards in the South East.
• GWRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGWR provides commuter and inter-city services from London Paddington to West London, Thames Valley, South West England and South Wales. Partnered with Meningitis Now for World Meningitis Day 2024 to light the tracks ahead.
• Caroline Gardner PublishingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWest London based Caroline Gardner is one of the UK's leading and most prolific designers. Corporate partner of Meningitis Now.
• DP World London GatewayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDP World London Gateway is a state-of-the-art deep-sea port and logistics park. Corporate partner of Meningitis Now.
• Dignity PLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDignity PLC is the largest single operator of crematoria in Britain. Corporate partner of Meningitis Now.
• Turtle TotsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTurtle Tots is a national swim school launched as a franchise in 2011. Corporate partner of Meningitis Now.
• RenishawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRenishaw is one of the world's leading engineering and scientific technology companies with expertise in precision measurement and healthcare. Corporate partner of Meningitis Now.
• Sovereign Health CareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner Sovereign Health Care has supported Meningitis Now for over twenty years and currently supports the Rebuilding Futures Fund through donations.
• RBC Brewin DolphinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRBC Brewin Dolphin are one of the UK's leading wealth managers, with over 30 offices throughout the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland. Corporate partner of Meningitis Now.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Macmillan Cancer Support: Macmillan is a UK disease-specific charity providing nurse-led helpline, financial grants, peer and bereavement support — directly comparable to Meningitis Now's mix of nurse helpline, Rebuilding Futures Fund grants and family/bereavement services.
• Mind (UK mental health charity): Mind is a major UK mental health charity offering helpline support, information, peer communities and advocacy — closely analogous to Meningitis Now in operating a free helpline, regional/local support model and donor-funded UK-wide service delivery for a specific health condition.
• British Heart Foundation: BHF is a UK disease-specific charity combining research funding (£hundreds of millions historically), awareness campaigns and patient support services — directly comparable to Meningitis Now's research-plus-support model around a specific condition.
• Together for Short Lives: Together for Short Lives is a UK children's charity supporting families affected by serious childhood illness with helpline, peer communities and family events — directly comparable to Meningitis Now's Believe & Achieve and bereavement programming.
• Cancer Research UK: Cancer Research UK is the UK's largest disease-specific research and awareness charity, closely analogous to Meningitis Now in funding peer-reviewed research, running awareness campaigns and operating UK-wide from voluntary income.
• Alzheimer's Society: Alzheimer's Society is a UK disease-specific charity delivering a national helpline, peer support, grants for affected families and research funding — a close functional analogue of Meningitis Now's combined support/research/advocacy operating model.
• Bliss (for babies born premature or sick): Bliss is a UK charity supporting families affected by a specific neonatal health condition via helpline, peer support and information services — closely analogous to Meningitis Now's family/individual support model for a defined condition.
• Sightsavers: Sightsavers is a disease-specific health charity combining awareness, advocacy and global research/support partnerships — comparable to Meningitis Now as a condition-led charity mixing advocacy, research funding and direct beneficiary services.
• Versus Arthritis: Versus Arthritis is a UK disease-specific charity offering helpline, peer support, grants, research funding and awareness — structurally comparable to Meningitis Now in mission, services and donor-funded UK operating model.

Broad incumbents

• NHS Charities Together: NHS Charities Together is a UK umbrella health-charity network raising funds and coordinating support for the NHS — adjacent rather than competing, but materially comparable as a donor-funded UK health-charity fundraising and beneficiary-support organisation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MeningitisNow
• Xx.com/meningitisnow

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Meningitis Now