Listening support for people living with autoimmune disease

We are the Wren Project

The Wren Project offers listening support to people living with autoimmune diseases throughout the UK. Our aim is to reduce the loneliness, grief and isolation felt by many following a life-changing diagnosis. The support we provide is free, remote and available to anyone over the age of 18.

We recruit and train empathetic volunteers with a desire to support individuals during a difficult time. Thanks to their dedication, we can help navigate the challenges of an autoimmune disease diagnosis.

Get Support

We understand that an autoimmune disease diagnosis is life-changing. Through one-to-one listening support sessions, we can help navigate those changes together.

Donate

Together, we can ensure no one has to face an autoimmune disease diagnosis alone. Every donation no matter how big or small - makes a difference in the lives of those we support.

Volunteer

We recruit and train individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of people with autoimmune disease. If you can support someone when they need it most, reach out today.

Fundraise

Support more people in distress and fundraise for us. From marathons, to bake sales, to bike rides and walks, we welcome and support all of your fundraising efforts.

Our Impact

Over 6 million people in the UK are living with autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus, Addison’s, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Hashimoto’s, Alopecia, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Multiple Sclerosis and many more. The route to diagnosis can be lengthy, complex and uncertain.

We are the only charity in the UK to offer mental health support to individuals with all autoimmune diseases. We exist to support the often overlooked social and emotional impact of a diagnosis, with empathetic listening support. Our service is free, without judgement or advice and available to anyone living in the UK with a diagnosed autoimmune disease.

“Exactly what I needed at the time I need it most.”

— Wren

Support our Mission.

Your donation helps us to ensure that a volunteer is always there for someone in distress as a result of their autoimmune disease diagnosis. Every contribution makes a meaningful impact to the community that we support.

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 FAQs

  • Anyone with a diagnosis of autoimmune disease, as recognised by the NHS, can apply for support from the Wren Project. We support people in distress as a result of their diagnosis. You must be over the age of 18 and living in the UK.

  • Our listening sessions are an opportunity to talk openly, without judgement or advice, about how your autoimmune disease is affecting you and your life.

  • Anyone over the age of 18 and with an autoimmune disease diagnosis can apply for support with us. Once you have completed our online referral form, we will respond to you within one week.

  • We offer one-to-one, remote listening support. Our aim is to provide a dedicated, private space for you to talk about whatever is on your mind. We do not pass judgement or give advice, instead we offer spaces in which individuals can talk openly and honestly. Our aim is to help reduce the grief, loneliness and isolation often felt by people living with autoimmune disease and through reflective practice, realise your own strength and resources.

    All of our sessions are conducted over a private MS Teams call, or over the phone.

  • If you have a desire to support individuals in times of difficulty, we would like to hear from you. Volunteers do not need to have any specific experience or an autoimmune disease. You can apply here.

  • If you would like to become a volunteer at the Wren Project, we ask you to fill out an application form online. We will then be in touch to find out more about you and see if the role is suitable.

Testimonials

  • "I can’t thank my volunteer enough for the support. It has been truly life changing. I feel I am in a much better place to be able to live with my autoimmune disease because of the support the Wren project has given me."

  • "It's been a huge help when I was newly diagnosed to just be able to talk to someone and off load without judgement from anyone. A massively supportive group."

  • "The sessions have had a major impact on my state of mind. The benefit has been huge."

  • "I didn't know what to expect- it's been helpful in so many ways. Its helping to piece things together- the journey so far and a greater understanding of how I became ill and the severity of the experiences of the last few years."

  • "These sessions have given me something to look forward to, being able to offload everything in my life - good or bad. Being able to talk openly and honestly has made such a big difference in my life."

News from the Wren Project

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