The Wren Project

We are honoured to support the mental health of those with autoimmune diseases day in and day out, helping to lighten the load of those who are experiencing an incredibly tough time. We're here if you need us, on #WorldMentalHealthDay and every day 🙏 Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/diNMQ76e

Together with LUPUS UK, we're excited and honoured to be holding space and supporting men through the difficulties of living with Lupus Our hope is that this group will provide a space for men to talk openly and honestly about how living with lupus makes them feel.

This is such an important conversation and we’re proud to be featured in The Guardian recently discussing the link between stress, work and autoimmune disease, in this case in the film and tv industry. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ebvuQiBC #autoimmunedisease #stress 

A woman living with Crohn’s disease who experienced symptoms for over 30 years, has revealed one of the greatest challenges she faced on her journey to diagnosis was “not being believed there was a bigger issue going on.” In the latest of our Wren Voices series - an initative to amplify the voices of people living with rare and often invisible diseases - one of our Wrens shares their personal story about their long journey to diagnosis. You can read Suky's story here: https://lnkd.in/e_ufyGNc If you or someone you know could benefit from our free, one-to-one listening support, get in touch with us here: www.wrenproject.org

We are really proud to be offering a group listening scheme, inititally for men with lupus, in partnership with LUPUS UK. Our hope is that this group will provide a space for men to talk openly and honestly about how living with lupus makes them feel. If you are considering joining, know someone who might be interested, or want to know more about how group listening might help, then have a watch of this: https://lnkd.in/eiYXfUsU Sessions begin on Thursday, October 10 and run online, meaning you can join from across the UK. To apply, send us an email with your details to: [email protected]

Here is a little re-introduction to who we are here at the Wren Project and how we help. We exist to bridge the gap between a life-changing #autoimmunedisease diagnosis and access to mental health support. Founded by people living with autoimmune diseases, we understand the huge imapct a diagnosis has on your emotional and #mentalhealth. To receive our support, find out more about becoming a Wren Project #volunteer and other ways you can support us, read more here: https://lnkd.in/e33zNBD7

In just a few weeks, we will be piloting our listening space in a group format, specifically for men living with lupus, together with our charity partner LUPUS UK. Here our founder, Kate Middleton, shares her thoughts on what this means for us as a charity. To find out more and apply to join this Wren Group pilot scheme, please apply by sending an email to: [email protected]

We want to say a big thank you to... The National Lottery Community Fund! They have awarded us £20,000 so that we can pilot our WrenGroups listening scheme. Here our Fundraising Director, Anna Jordan, shares what this grant means to us here at the Wren Project: "We know that living with an autoimmune disease can bring a unique set of challenges including management of chronic pain, fatigue, hopelessness, loneliness and isolation. "Our 1-2-1 work has highlighted a demand from our Wrens to bring people together in a safe space to share their experiences, to connect, listen and support each other," she explains. "With help from the National Lottery we will be piloting an online group support model led by experienced Listening Volunteers to help Wrens feel more optimistic for their future, less lonely and more connected to those around them. "It is hoped that the group support model will be a welcome addition to our 1-2-1 Listening Support - enabling us to reach many more people and and build community. " Find out more about the listening support we offer at the Wren Project, here: www.wrenproject.org

The Wren Project is excited to announce we will be piloting our listening space in a group format, specifically for men living with lupus, together with our charity partner, LUPUS UK. Speaking about the pilot WrenGroup scheme - the first for our charity which offers one-to-one listening support for all autoimmune diseases as our key service - Kate Middleton, CEO of the Wren Project, said: “Our decision to pilot a group scheme, initially for men living with the complexities of lupus, shows our commitment to finding new and innovative ways to give people space, time and support to talk about the true impact their diagnoses have had on their lives. “Our hope is that, in the private support of a small group environment, we can enable individuals to feel heard and validated in their experiences among peers with a shared understanding.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gtsbKZqS

Today, the Wren Project received its 1000th referral for support! Here, our CEO and founder Kate Middleton, shares her thoughts on the growth of the Wren project and what it means to support the autoimmune disease community with one-to-one active listening sessions.