Are your students aware?    

 

Dear PSHE/PSE Co-ordinator,

I am writing to remind you of the importance of including information on meningitis in your PSHE curriculum this year. Meningitis can strike in an instant and kill within hours; it is notoriously difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Despite advances in vaccines, there are approximately 250 cases of meningitis among 15-24 year olds each year. 10% of cases will result in death, a further 15% will be left with serious disabling after-effects. It is therefore vital for Year 11 and sixth form students, particularly those going on to further or higher education in 2011, to be prepared and stay alert to the risk of meningitis.

We have a number of free resources available to schools;

Symptoms Cards
These free handy guides are available to order from our website or can be downloaded in PDF or jpeg format here, ideal for posting on your intranet system or on student wall planners etc.
Posters and Leaflets
We have been working in partnership with the Meningitis Research Foundation, the Department of Health in England and NHS Health Scotland to produce awareness materials for young people. You can download the leaflets and posters here by clicking on the image. If you would like to order quantities of these materials please go to www.dh.gov.uk for England and http://www.healthscotland.com for Scotland

Talks and Presentations
We have a number of staff and volunteers in the community available to give talks to pupils or staff about meningitis, or to work with you on any fundraising or business and enterprise initiatives you may be planning. Click here to find your local representative.

Tom’s Story and Ade’s Song
Tom Newman had meningitis at university. Click here to watch his story.

A group of students from Peter Symonds College in Winchester have produced a musical tribute to their friend, Ade Gibbs, who died of meningitis. The DVD is a moving reminder of how the disease can impact lives. Click here to watch Ade’s Song.

Teachers’ Handbook
Our Teachers’ Handbook, ‘Education For All’ has been put together to help answer questions and concerns if a case of meningitis happens in the school environment. Click on the image to download a pack today.
Young people zone

Learning Website
http://www.meningitis-learning.org has been developed for primary and secondary pupils, parents and teachers and contains detailed information about meningitis through quizzes, animations and downloadable worksheets.
meningitis iPhone app

I-Phone App
We have developed the world’s first symptoms card iPhone   application which is available from the Apple iTunes website. Download yours today!
  

We’re also excited to say we have a page on the UCAS YouGo.co.uk website for higher education applicants. It includes essential information on meningitis signs & symptoms and promotes the support services the Trust can offer.


The Meningitis Trust offers emotional, practical and financial support to anybody affected by meningitis. The gateway to our services is our freephone 24-hour nurse-staffed helpline (0800 028 18 28). For further information and downloadable resources including fundraising ideas please visit our website www.meningitis-trust.org

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0845 120 2123 or by emailing me at annec@meningitis-trust.org   I look forward to working with you and hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards,

Anne Currie
UK Community Development Manager
Meningitis Trust
Tel: 0845 120 2123
Email: annec@meningitis-trust.org