Apply for support with the Wren Project

Refer yourself or somebody else

We only accept referrals from people who have received an official diagnosis of autoimmune disease, as recognised by the NHS.

At present we don’t have capacity to support long term conditions which are not recognised as autoimmune by the NHS, including: Fibromyalgia, ME, CFS, and Long Covid.

We support people aged 18 and over, who are experiencing significant distress as a result of an autoimmune diagnosis. To be eligible you must live in the UK, have access to a phone, and/or WiFi, and be willing and wanting to talk about your autoimmune disease and the impact it is having on your life.

We aim to respond to all applications within a week. We sometimes operate a short waiting list.

 FAQs

  • Anyone with a diagnosis of autoimmune disease, as recognised by the NHS, can apply for support from the Wren Project. We support people aged 18 or over and who live in the UK. You must be willing to talk about your autoimmune disease and the impact it is having on your life.

  • Our listening sessions are an opportunity to talk about how your autoimmune disease is affecting you and your life. You will be paired with a trained volunteer who will provide a safe and welcoming space for you to talk openly about how your disease is affecting your life. Our volunteers aren’t there to give you advice or pass judgement. Instead, they listen and curiously enquire about your autoimmune disease.

  • Anyone over the age of 18 and with an autoimmune disease diagnosis can apply for support via: ( Get Support ) Once you have completed our online referral form, we will respond within a 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 others in times of difficulty, we would like to hear from you. Our volunteers are there for anyone navigating the complexities of an autoimmune diagnosis. You do not need to have any specific experience or understanding of autoimmune disease.

  • 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 and see if the role is suitable for you.

Testimonials

  • "I can’t thank my volunteer enough for the support. It has been truly life changing support. I feel 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."

Get in Touch