The Wren Project

The Wren Project was conceived during 2020. Inspired by her Grandmother, ‘the long Wren,’ Kate had an idea to provide support to people struggling with complex and chronic autoimmune diseases, for whom psychosocial support is absent, insufficient, or hard to access. The Wren Project is underpinned by direct knowledge of how life-changing a diagnosis of autoimmune disease can be. Kate’s personal battle with Lupus is, medically, very different from Alice’s experience of Alopecia, yet they shared the same sense of powerlessness, loneliness, and lack of control as their bodies reshaped the paths they imagined their lives following. Kate’s idea has developed into a robust programme that provides individuals, recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, with listening, psychosocial, and befriending support. We build community, helping individuals feel less marginalised as they navigate a new diagnosis and the emotional challenges that it can bring. We support people to take back control of their lives.