Anaphylaxis UK secures Innovate UK grant to develop support for allergy-related anxiety

Back in 2024 we launched our #TheHiddenBattleWithAllergies campaign, demonstrating our commitment to developing resources and support to help ease the emotional impact of living with serious allergies. The emotional impact of living with serious allergies is a heavy load to carry with allergies adversely affecting quality of life, mental health and emotional wellbeing. It’s a load that many feel they carry with little support or specialist services.

With that in mind, we are delighted to announce that Anaphylaxis UK has been successful in its application to Innovate UK for funding to set up a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Surrey to offer support that addresses the psychological impact of living with serious allergies. The aim of this unique programme is to develop resources and support services to reduce allergy-related anxiety and equip people with the tools they may need to cope with living with allergies.

From left to right : Dan Bance MSc Innovation Manager (Business Engagement) – Surrey Enterprise Hub, Professor Chrissie Jones PhD CPsychol AFBPsS FHEA, Director of Research for the School of Psychology Professor in Clinical Health Psychology, Dr Erin Alford DPsych, BSc Practitioner Psychologist – Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate, Simon Williams Chief Executive – Anaphylaxis UK, Dr Warren Matofsky Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist & Group Psychotherapist and Shona Campbell Knowledge Transfer Adviser, Innovate UK Business Connect.

Over £500,000 will be invested in this programme, and we are thrilled to announce that Dr Erin Alford, a Counselling Psychologist has started work to deliver this ambitious 3-year project supported by Professor Chrissie Jones and Dr Warren Matofsky at the University of Surrey.

Dr Erin Alford recently shared her excitement at launching this programme :

“Living with serious allergies can have a profound impact on mental health, yet psychological support in this area has been limited. I am really excited to have started this groundbreaking project with Anaphylaxis UK and the University of Surrey to provide much needed support for those experiencing allergy-related anxiety. This initiative is a crucial step towards ensuring that those affected by serious allergies feel supported, empowered and equipped with the tools they need to navigate daily life with greater confidence.”

Dr Shona Campbell, Knowledge Transfer Adviser, Innovate UK Business Connect commented :

“Innovate UK is delighted to support this Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Anaphylaxis UK and the University of Surrey. The application of leading-edge clinical psychology knowledge to develop interventions to reduce allergy-related anxiety offers scope for significant wellbeing impacts on people living with allergies and their families, in parallel supporting income-generation to guarantee the future sustainability of the charity. I look forward to following the progress of this transformational project.”

And finally, Simon Williams, Chief Executive at Anaphylaxis UK added :

“Too many people feel they carry this burden alone, with limited access to specialist support. That’s why we are thrilled to announce that Anaphylaxis UK has secured funding from Innovate UK to establish a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Surrey. This pioneering programme will develop much-needed services to help people manage allergy-related anxiety and improve their quality of life. This marks a significant step in ensuring that no one faces the hidden battle with allergies alone.”

Our mission from day one, has always been to create a safer environment for everyone living with allergies by providing accurate and reliable information and support to help navigate the practical challenges.  But with this new programme we are beyond excited about taking this support to the next level by addressing the often hidden emotional and psychological challenges that come with living with serious allergies.

With the foundations of the programme now in place, we are looking forward to sharing more about what we plan to deliver over the next three years.

About Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

For 50 years, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) have been bringing together forward-thinking businesses and organisations, academics, and graduates to solve complex innovation challenges which help our economy, society, and environment. Each collaboration is a three-way partnership between a business or organisation with an innovative idea or challenge; a UK knowledge base with the expertise to deliver the innovation or solve the challenge; and a graduate who will drive the project forward to delivery. As a bridge between academia and industry, the KTP programme has empowered organisations of all sizes to innovate and thrive since 1975.