The UK Sepsis Trust

The UK Sepsis Trust The UK's leading charity, raising awareness & providing vital support to those affected.
(201)

Today is World Meningitis Day. Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and s...
05/10/2026

Today is World Meningitis Day.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It's usually caused by bacteria or viruses, and occasionally fungi.

The germs that cause meningitis can also sometimes lead to sepsis.

🚨 Knowing the signs - and when to seek urgent treatment - could save a life.

➡ You can find the signs and symptoms of meningitis in both adults and children here: https://www.meningitisnow.org/meningitis-explained/signs-and-symptoms/

And if you suspect sepsis, remember to trust your instincts and act quickly. A simple question could save a life. Just Ask: "Could it be Sepsis?"

Check out Meningitis Now and Meningitis Research Foundation for more info and resources.

Santa in the City really puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising, and you can sign up now! 🎅Run or walk with Team UKST. Get festiv...
04/10/2026

Santa in the City really puts the ‘fun’ in fundraising, and you can sign up now! 🎅

Run or walk with Team UKST. Get festive, get moving and help save lives.

➡️ Guaranteed charity place
➡️3 dates to choose from in December
➡️ Raise vital funds to support our work
➡️ Santa suit & exclusive UKST running vest

Ready to make a difference this Christmas?

Secure your place today: https://sepsistrust.org/events/santa-in-the-city/

You may have seen that October is Free Wills Month, a time where some charities offer free Will writing services to peop...
01/10/2026

You may have seen that October is Free Wills Month, a time where some charities offer free Will writing services to people aged 55 and over.

But did you know that the UK Sepsis Trust offers free Wills all year round to anyone over the age of 18?

There's also 0 expectation to leave us a gift.

It's straightforward, simple, and free.

To find out more, visit our website: https://sepsistrust.org/support-us/donate-now/gift-in-wills/ or call 0800 389 6255.

P.S. If do decide to leave us a gift, just know you're helping us protect future generations from sepsis. Thank you. 🧡

“Just trust your gut; you know your child best.” Helen and Daniel Philliskirk tragically lost their bright, cheeky 16-mo...
29/09/2026

“Just trust your gut; you know your child best.”

Helen and Daniel Philliskirk tragically lost their bright, cheeky 16-month-year-old son James to sepsis in May 2022.

They’ve shared their family’s tragic story of loss to help make other parents aware of the signs of sepsis and to urge health professionals to listen to patient voices.

James had contracted chickenpox in April 2022. Three weeks later, James became more unwell, displaying signs of irritability, refusal to eat or sleep, making groaning noises, and regressing to a newborn-like state.

After two visits to the hospital, they returned home, where James’s condition continued. Tragically, he passed away the following evening.

Helen says: “I think people would always rather see children and verify that they are healthy or verify that things are OK rather than people be at home worried and things get missed and ultimately lead to very unwell children or sadly, children dying.”

Helen wants Martha’s Rule to be implemented not just in England, but in Ireland, Scotland and Wales too, so that parents like her and husband Daniel are more empowered to seek an urgent review.

Daniel said: “One other thing I would advise parents of or anyone attending hospital really, is to make sure they get written safety netting advice when the leave, be that electronic copy or hard copy, just so that they know the signs and the signals of things to look out for as we didn’t receive any.”

Helen has accessed UKST’s online support groups, as well as 1:1 calls with one of UKST’s Support Nurses.

“The UK Sepsis Trust have provided me with invaluable support.. I feel heard, I feel supported, I feel much less alone,” Helen said.

If you’ve been affected by a sepsis bereavement, get support today: https://sepsistrust.org/get-support/

Support families who have been affected by sepsis this October with our 7-day Cold Water Dip challenge 🏊‍♂️Every year, S...
26/09/2026

Support families who have been affected by sepsis this October with our 7-day Cold Water Dip challenge 🏊‍♂️

Every year, Sepsis affects 245,000 people in the UK and causes 1 in 5 deaths globally.

Join the UK Sepsis Trust's Cold Water Dip Challenge, raise awareness and help fund life-saving work, all while taking on an unforgettable challenge.

Here's what you have to do:

💙 Decide what kind of dip – a cold swim, dip, ice plunge or shower

💙 Decide where you'll dip – a lido, a paddling pool, an ice bath, a lake, the sea or a cold shower at home

💙 Set up your fundraising page on JustGiving

💙 Share your journey with family and friends as you help save lives!

We'll make sure you have everything you need to get started, with a pack of sepsis awareness resources and a beanie when you raise £15!

ℹ️ Please note, if you're pregnant, have a medical condition, or have recently had sepsis, it's always a good idea speak to a health professional before taking part.

Find out more and sign up here: https://sepsistrust.org/support-us/fundraise/october-cold-water-challenge/

Successful in the Great North Run '27 ballot? Why not run for Team UKST! 🏃‍♂️ You’ll not only challenge yourself with th...
24/09/2026

Successful in the Great North Run '27 ballot? Why not run for Team UKST! 🏃‍♂️

You’ll not only challenge yourself with the largest half marathon in the world, but also contribute to a vital cause in the fight against sepsis. 🧡

If it's a 'YES!' please get in touch with [email protected]

Not got a place in the ballot? Register your interest for a charity place here: https://sepsistrust.org/events/great-north-run-2027/

“You know your own body better than anyone. If I hadn’t trusted my gut and taken that photo, I wouldn’t be here. I feel ...
23/09/2026

“You know your own body better than anyone. If I hadn’t trusted my gut and taken that photo, I wouldn’t be here. I feel so lucky to be alive – and to still be here for my boys.”

Trust your instincts because you know your body. 👇

When Michelle Gilchrist, 27, developed severe pain after a C-section, she knew something wasn’t right. A mum of two young boys, Michelle told health professionals that her pain was different from what she had experienced after her previous C-section, but was unfortunately sent home.

After being discharged, Michelle became increasingly unwell. She experienced breathlessness, heart palpitations, severe muscle pain and extreme shivering, while also feeling clammy and sweaty.

Then she showed a doctor a photo of what she thought was old blood on her maternity pad. That photo ultimately helped save her life.

A CT scan revealed a 13cm abscess, a blood clot and a pool of blood. Michelle was diagnosed with sepsis and underwent emergency surgery just 17 days after her C-section.

“I was terrified. I thought I was dying”, she says. “I’ve never felt pain like it... They knew they should have listened earlier.”

Michelle’s recovery was long and difficult, having to learn how to walk again and experiencing the lasting effects of post-sepsis syndrome.

She’s now sharing her story to raise awareness of how quickly sepsis can become life-threatening and to encourage others to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

➡ This Sepsis Awareness Month, our message is simple. If someone with an infection is getting worse – instead of better – trust your instincts and act quickly. Just Ask: “Could it be Sepsis?”

Find out more here: https://sepsistrust.org/trust-your-instincts/

22/09/2026

Martha’s Rule is set to be rolled out to every A&E in England, giving patients and their families the opportunity to request an urgent review if they're concerned that a patient’s condition is getting worse.

This morning, UK Sepsis Trust Ambassador and actor Jason Watkins joined BBC Breakfast to discuss the expansion of Martha’s Rule and why it matters.

The rule has already been in force in all inpatient wards since 2024 and there have been over 10,000 reviews, potentially saving 446 lives.

In 2011 on New Year's Day, Jason Watkins and his wife, Clara, tragically lost their two-year-old daughter, Maude, to sepsis.

In the interview, Jason said: “This rule enables a parent to have a voice, and if there is an issue, that is then addressed, and in the case of sepsis, that’s very important because a parent often knows their child better than anyone.

“If you’re at all worried when you got to A&E, ask for a second opinion. It just makes those extremely dedicated medical practitioners, nurses, doctors, consultants, give a pause and thought: Am I doing everything I can to assess this child accurately?”

Catch the full interview below and remember, trust your instincts and if you’re worried, Just Ask: “Could it be Sepsis?”

Here's how you can protect your community from sepsis 👇Sepsis can affect anyone, at any time. Five people die every hour...
21/09/2026

Here's how you can protect your community from sepsis 👇

Sepsis can affect anyone, at any time. Five people die every hour in the UK, but it's often treatable if caught early. That's why raising awareness in your community is so important: it can save lives.

And we can help, with our Sepsis Savvy awareness sessions.

Earlier this month, UKST - joined by volunteer Yvonne, who shared her family's sepsis story - visited Shree Jalaram Mandhir, Greenford to speak with the community and arm them with potentially life-saving knowledge.

A huge thanks to everyone, including Councillor Keith Martin (Three Rivers District Council) for the invite and generous donation.

If you'd like to protect your community, you can book an awareness session today. Find out more by emailing [email protected] ✉

“Your average GP won’t even have heard of PSS, so it’s hugely underdiagnosed." Surviving sepsis is just the beginning f...
18/09/2026

“Your average GP won’t even have heard of PSS, so it’s hugely underdiagnosed."

Surviving sepsis is just the beginning for many people. It can take weeks, months or longer to fully recover and it’s common to experience new limitations and psychological, physical and cognitive after-effects. For most people, these effects will last a few months, but others can face a long road to recovery. Some may even go on to develop Post Sepsis Syndrome (PSS). But awareness of PSS is low.

That's why it was great to see PSS being discussed this week in The Telegraph, with insights from our Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ron Daniels.

He said: “Of the 250,000 people who develop sepsis in the UK annually, between 40-70% will have a life-altering disability after one year, which is huge. Many are told they have another condition, and are passed from pillar to post without anyone joining the dots."

We need greater awareness of the lasting impact of sepsis, and better support for those living with its aftermath. UKST is here to help 👇

🧡 If you're struggling with PSS and want to speak to one of our Support Nurses, ring our helpline: 0808 800 0029

🧡 If you want to learn more about PSS and sepsis recovery, check out this page: https://sepsistrust.org/get-support/sepsis-recovery-post-sepsis-syndrome/

🔗 Read the full Telegraph article here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/conditions/bones-joints/the-sepsis-survivors-still-living-in-pain/

Address

Birmingham

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The UK Sepsis Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to The UK Sepsis Trust:

Shortcuts

Share

Category