Our Partnerships
The Lyme Resource Centre is developing working partnerships with a wide range of organisations who share our ambition to raise awareness of ticks and Lyme disease. Here is some information about a few of our partners:
Partnership Agreement between Lyme Resource Centre (LRC) and
Community Woodlands Association (CWA)
The LRC is delighted to announce a partnership agreement with the Community Woodlands Association (CWA) LRC and CWA share an ambition to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and specifically community woodlands safely. This includes people being aware of and protecting themselves from the risk of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. LRC and CWA will work together to ensure that community woodland group members and the public who enjoy the woods are better protected from tick borne diseases by • Raising awareness of ticks and tick-borne disease. • Improving understanding of prevention of tick bites • Providing information on detecting tick bites and techniques for the safe removal of attached ticks • Educating the public about the early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and the action they should take to seek appropriate care The aims of the partnership will be achieved by the CWA and LRC working together through the provision of LRC developed resources, free of charge, to member community woodlands for local use best suited to their circumstances. Norman Lannigan LRC Trustee said “We are delighted to have formed this partnership which we hope will be the first of many with groups who share our ambition of enabling enjoyment of the outdoors whilst protecting the public from the threat of ticks and tick-borne disease. We know that 22% of people who responded to our patient survey and who were diagnosed with Lyme disease recall their tick bite following a walk in woodlands so this partnership is particularly important.” Andy Rockall Director of the CWA said “I very much welcome this new relationship with the Lyme Resource Centre which will encourage people to go into woodlands with better knowledge of ticks and tick-borne disease which are to be understood and respected not feared. Ticks are no reason to stay away from the many wonderful community woodlands across Scotland.” The CWA is a Scottish charity, a membership organisation with community woodland group members that own and manage woodlands across Scotland.
The Tick Talk Project
Lyme Resource Centre has developed a partnership with STEM Ambassadors in Scotland based at The Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) to launch "Tick Talk" - an initiative designed to provide vital information on tick bite prevention and Lyme disease awareness.
The program will engage STEM Ambassadors from across Scotland to collaborate with LRC advisors at meetings and events hosted by organisations that promote outdoor activities. Together, they will share valuable advice on staying safe while enjoying the outdoors.
Click here to learn more about STEM ambassadors
NEWS - First "Tick Talk" event at the "Pint of Science" festival
LRC has developed a fellowship agreement with ESCCAP.
“ESCCAP UK & Ireland is a non-profit making organisation whose objective is to be a reliable source of information and advice about the control and prevention of companion animal parasites and give clear national advice to veterinary and animal care professionals and pet owners in the UK.”
What makes viruses tick? (WMVT)
WMVT is a project hosted within the MRC- University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) by the Brennan Lab.
CVR is a research institution with an international reputation for virus research. Relevant research interests include investigating how viruses interact with tick cells and how this interaction influences disease transmission and ultimately human health.
The WMVT project is focused on raising awareness of ticks and tick-borne viruses across Scotland. Although Lyme disease is the most common tick borne disease in Scotland, ticks also carry a wide range of other diseases, including viruses. (Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) has recently been detected for the first time in certain areas of the UK.) The project shares LRC’s objective to encourage the public to enjoy the outdoors, but to be aware of the risks of tick-borne diseases. A major aspect of WMVT is public engagement and citizen science, encouraging the public to get involved by reporting tick sightings in order to build a tick map for Scotland. The LRC signs facilitate this by including a QR code which enables the public to easily contribute tick sightings.
“We're using the data from this map to understand where ticks are being spotted, with multiple actions being taken from this data. We've worked with landowners to cut back vegetation alongside paths, installed interpretation panels alongside our partners TCV Scotland and the Lyme Resource Centre, and shared data with academic partners who are able to use it for future research funding and evidence. Additionally, we are collecting people's stories of their experiences with ticks and tick-borne diseases to understand the level of impact ticks are having across the country.”
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)
TCV is a charity which exists to connect people to green spaces to deliver lasting outcomes for both. It supports people to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing by being outdoors, active and interacting with others through their volunteering and other project activity.
TCV works closely with the “What makes viruses tick” project, in particular the development of the tick map for Scotland and are assisting the Lyme Resource Centre with the outdoor signage project - installing LRC signs in outdoor areas popular with the public and where ticks are expected at high density. Signage is installed with the permission of the landowner.
Rico Franchi
Ambassador
A singer/songwriter from Glasgow, Scotland, Rico raises awareness and funding for LRC through his talent as a singer and songwriter. Having battled Lyme disease for over ten years now, he says “I have been fortunate enough to use my music as a vehicle to create awareness and raise funds for Lyme charities. Being such a misunderstood illness, means that people rarely receive the support they need and deserve. It’s a very lonely journey, with many friends and family members often forgetting how ill we are on the inside, because we look well on the outside. We’re forced to smile and push through pain, fatigue and other sinister symptoms because there’s no alternative solution. The unpredictability of flare ups leaves us living in constant fear over what might arise next. We need a voice, and I’m happy and honoured to be part of that voice. Let’s raise more awareness and push harder for answers to help a growing community whose questions need answers.”
