Our Partnerships
The Lyme Resource Centre has formed partnerships with both the “What makes viruses tick” project and "The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)" to assist us in delivering our outdoor awareness objectives.
Here is a little more information about our partners.
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. Submit your tick sighting
Feedback from the project team so far:
“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.”
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.”
