“Tick Talk” is a partnership between STEM Ambassadors in Scotland and the Lyme Resource Centre.  “Tick Talk seeks to engage the public with LRC and STEM Ambassador volunteers who have been trained in the key messages of prevention whilst enjoying the outdoors including how to avoid tick bites, how to look for and safely remove ticks after outdoor activity and the identification of the early signs of Lyme disease following a tick encounter. The first of these events took place as part of the “Pint of Science” https://pintofscience.com  festival event held in Drygate Brewery in Glasgow on Wednesday 21st May.  The event is part of a worldwide festival science where local novel research is communicated in a friendly and inclusive way by young researchers interacting with the general public in their local pub! The Glasgow event was billed as “Fever Rising how climate change drives deadly diseases” with presentations concentrating on recent research into changes in zoonotic and parasitic disease as a result of climate change https://pintofscience.co.uk/event/fever-rising-how-climate-change-drives-deadly-diseases  . The “Tick Talk” session was led by STEM Ambassador volunteer Dr Ally Hughes, Strategic Research Partner for SULSA (Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance), who brought her excellent communication skills and Lyme Resource Centre Resources in to play to make key points about prevention of tick bites, detection and safe removal of attached ticks and the early signs of Lyme Disease. The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session where Ally was supported by Norman Lannigan (Trustee) and Gus Walker (volunteer) Lyme Resource Centre. Gus and Norman also stayed behind at the end of the session to meet and discuss issues with many interested people who had attended the event. LRC Trustee Norman Lannigan said “I am absolutely delighted to get our Tick Talk initiative off to such a great start.  Many thanks to Ally for making this happen and using her exceptional communication skills and LRC resources to make all the key points including reassuring the audience on many occasions that they should continue to enjoy the outdoors whilst encouraging them to manage the risk from ticks.  I would also like to thank the local “Pint of Science” team for making us so welcome and allowing us to distribute our posters and leaflets.” ” We hope this “Tick Talk” session will be the first of many this tick season so if your group would like to host a similar session then please contact the Lyme Resource Centre through the contact page.  “Tick Talk” can be delivered in many formats including face to face and virtual presentations or we can attend with a stand to answer direct questions and to distribute our resources- hope to see you there!

Credit: www.sortiraparis.com Many thanks to Orla Burke who raised £2000 for Lyme Resource Centre by running the Paris Marathon in April 2025. Orla wanted to raise awareness of Lyme disease in Ireland after her sister Grace got Lyme disease in 2018.    If caught early, Lyme disease is very treatable; but unfortunately for Grace and many others like her in Ireland, if not diagnosed promptly, Lyme disease can cause ongoing problems and treatment can be difficult to access.    If there had been more awareness through signage and campaigns in Ireland, and Grace had known that she had had a tick bite, then her Grace’s suffering could have been avoided. Grace was finally diagnosed and is hopefully on the road to recovery.    Orla aims to use money raised for creating awareness of tick bites and Lyme disease through signage in forest parks around Ireland.     Further information of previous awareness campaigns can be found here:    https://www.lymeresourcecentre.com/outdoor-initiatives     Many thanks to Orla for her efforts and congratulations on her success!

The Lyme Resource Centre (LRC) has become a STEM Ambassador partner organisation for the purpose of delivering an initiative called ‘Tick Talk’.   “Tick Talk” will involve STEM Ambassadors in Scotland who have signed up for this initiative to work with LRC volunteers in attending meetings and events of groups who promote enjoyment of outdoors.  Examples of these groups include local community gardens and woodlands to larger national events such as the Community Woodlands Association annual conference and the Duke of Edinburgh Leaders conference.  Our partner STEM Ambassador volunteers are trained in communication and are experienced in communicating with the public. STEM Ambassador volunteers have received training from LRC advisors on tick bite prevention, correct management of   tick bites and awareness of the early signs of Lyme disease. They will be available to man stalls with information resources and to meet the public face to face at events to which the LRC has been invited.  Norman Lannigan, Trustee of the LRC said “We are very excited to welcome our STEM Ambassadors in joining our volunteers to deliver Tick Talk  to the public. Our experience is that meeting the public face to face, distributing our Tick and Lyme disease awareness resources and being available to answer questions is a very effective way of getting our message across :   Enjoy the outdoors but stay safe by protecting from tick bites, knowing how to safely remove any attached ticks and recognising the early signs of possible Lyme disease .  Partnership with STEM Ambassadors enables us to attend many more events and meet many more people”   Debbie Mathers, STEM Ambassador Programme Manager from SSERC said “We are delighted to partner with LRC to launch Tick Talk . Our STEM Ambassadors are passionate about sharing knowledge and inspiring people, so are ideal volunteers to support the initiative.  The interest so far has been incredible – with many volunteers inspired to support due to their own experience with ticks.  We are looking forward to growing Tick Talk in 2025!”   STEM Learning is an organisation dedicated to supporting learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and enabling young people to thrive in learning within these disciplines.     SSERC (Scottish Schools Education Research Centre) is STEM Learning’s delivery partner for the STEM Ambassador programme in Scotland.  They aim to inspire, enthuse and support STEM educators for the benefit of all learners.  SSERC offers professional learning for educators, an advisory service and a host of STEM Engagement offers, which include the STEM Ambassador programme.     The STEM Ambassador programme across the UK supports a network of thousands of volunteers to bring real-life examples of STEM careers into schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. They help to break stereotypes and offer engaging activities to inspire the next generation into the infinite possibilities of STEM pathways.

Immediate resources for diagnosis and treatment. Key Facts, Information Sources and Research Evidence Information Sources and Key Research Evidence (pdf) Key Facts for Health Professionals (pdf) Lyme Carditis - When borrelia infects the heart (pdf)

Upcoming and past events, both in person and webinars. Events Upcoming Events 28-30th Jan 2026 - BPNA Annual Conference Glasgow Past Events The LRC team supported a wide range of events during 2024 & 2025. Via a combination of exhibition stands and conference presentations we worked to raise awareness of ticks & Lyme disease amongst Members of the Scottish Parliament, health professionals (including GPs, nurses, paramedics, and pharmacists), Directors of Education, leaders of outdoor organisations and members of the general public. In August and September 2025, the Lyme Resource Centre volunteers were out and about at a number of outdoor events across Scotland and England to raise awareness of Ticks and Lyme disease. Locations included: Melfort Community Garden, Clydebank Moy Country Fair Great Wilderness Challenge Poolewe Polbeth Harvest Open Day - Community Woods & Garden West Grinstead & District annual ploughing match & agricultural show. West Sussex. Community Woodlands Association Annual Conference 2025 General Conferences and Presentations Assoc of Directors of Education Conference Nov 2025 Glasgow, Scotland Raising awareness of tick bites and Lyme disease during outdoor activities Find out more RCGP Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025 Oct 2025 ICC Wales, Newport Visiting the LRC Exhibition Stand Find out more DofE Leaders Conference Mar 2025 Stirling, Scotland LRC Attended The Duke Of Edinburgh Awards Scheme Leaders Conference Find out more CWA Conference Oct 2024 Inverness Community Woodlands Association Conference Find out more Light up for Lyme May 2024 Across the UK Venues and landmarks across the UK were Lighting up for Lyme Find out more DofE Scotland Highland Network Event Nov 2025 Inverness, Scotland Supporting DofE leaders with tick awareness information and tick removal cards Find out more 1st Annual Conference on Chronic Infection Pathologies Sept 2025 Jyväskylä , Finland Understanding, prevention, and treatment of infectious chronic illnesses. Find out more ADES Annual Conference Scotland Association of Directors in Scotland Annual Conference Find out more World Congress of Environmental History Aug 2024 Oulu, Finland LRC sponsored presentation by Morven-May and Ritti Soncco Find out more Scottish Parliamentary Event May 2024 Scottish Parliament Thanks go to Evelyn Tweed MSP for hosting this special evening on behalf of LRC Find out more Medical Conferences and Presentations 1st Annual Conference on Chronic Infection Pathologies Jyväskylä , Finland Understanding, prevention, and treatment of infectious chronic illnesses. Clinical Pharmacy Congress Excel London Europe's largest event for clinical pharmacy professionals RCPCH Conference Glasgow Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Conference Royal Pharmaceutical Society Webinar RPS/LRC - ‘Recognising the symptoms of Lyme disease’ Best Practice Birmingham NEC GP presentation ‘Identifying Lyme disease - the 'New Great Imitator' RCGP Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025 ICC Wales, Newport GP presentation : Lyme disease - The New Great Imitator Primary Care Show Birmingham NEC Event for NHS and private clinicians working in primary and community care. Guidelines Live Excel London GP Presentation ‘Diagnosing Lyme disease - unmasking the ‘New Great Imitator’ The Pharmacy Show Birmingham NEC LRC presentation ‘Recognising the signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease’ FAIB/FOFATO Conference Stockport ‘Understanding Lyme disease’

The Lyme Resource Centre is a charity with a mission to minimise risk of Lyme disease whilst enjoying the outdoors, by educating the public and healthcare professionals about ticks and Lyme disease. Lyme Resource Centre is pleased to have worked with the Royal College of GPs on the new RCGP Lyme Disease Toolkit Lyme Disease Experience Survey - Results The Lyme Resource Centre is a charity with a mission to minimise risk of Lyme disease whilst enjoying the outdoors, by educating the public and healthcare professionals about ticks and Lyme disease. Please explore our site, to learn more about our work and how to get involved. Latest News To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Quick Links Info and Support Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, acquired from the bite of an infected tick. Learn more about ticks and Lyme disease Outdoor Initiatives LRC is working with outdoor organisations to encourage tick awareness and safe enjoyment of the great outdoors Clinical Resources Information & resources for health care professionals Events Stay up to date on the latest LRC awareness and educational events. General Resources We have developed a range of resources useful for schools, outdoor organisations, and researchers. Support Us See what you can do to help spread awareness about lyme disease and co-infections.