This is a recurring event: View all events in the series “Disability and Social Inclusion Seminars”
Speaker: Kate Middleton, Founder and CEO of the Wren Project
Location: Online, via Zoom
Note: Please let us know if you have any special requirements
Contact: If you wish to attend please contact Doria Pilling, d.s.pilling@city.ac.uk
In the UK, 7%, or 4 million people, are known to live with at least one autoimmune condition.
There are over 80 identified autoimmune diseases, with incidence rising by 3 - 9% each year.
The emotional and mental impact on an individual can be life-changing and debilitating; depression, anxiety, and loneliness are common side-effects of a diagnosis. 66% of people living with autoimmune diseases have mental health problems. 68% of people with autoimmune diseases are unemployed or unable to work full-time.
Much of this is down to lack of support in the workplace.
The Wren Project provides free, ongoing, one-to-one listening support for people diagnosed with autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are complex, unexplained, and hugely diverse.
Medically little connects someone with Lupus to someone with Alopecia, Rheumatoid Arthritis to Myasthenia Gravis.
However, the emotional upheaval and social impact of diagnosis of autoimmune draws connections between people, despite differences in that diagnosis.
The Wren Project is underpinned by direct knowledge of the life-changing impact a diagnosis of autoimmune disease brings.
Its CEO, Kate’s, personal battle with Lupus inspired her to found a robust programme of listening, psychosocial, and befriending support to individuals recently diagnosed with autoimmune disease.
The Wren Project builds community, helping individuals feel less marginalised as they navigate a new diagnosis and the emotional challenges that it brings
Attendance at City events is subject to our terms and conditions.