35 years of Allergy UK

Over the past 35 years, Allergy UK has helped transform the conversation around allergy. From pioneering training programmes for healthcare professionals and schools, to launching its internationally recognised Seal of Approval and expanding digital resources and awareness campaigns, the charity has remained committed to improving understanding and standards of allergy care nationwide. At the heart of that work has always been the people Allergy UK serves, and its dedicated Helpline, which continues to provide vital reassurance, guidance and expert support to thousands of people every year.

As the charity celebrates this landmark anniversary, it is also an opportunity to reflect on how far allergy care and awareness have come. From its beginnings as the British Allergy Foundation to becoming today’s leading national allergy charity, Allergy UK’s story is one of innovation, persistence and compassion.

History:

1991:

The British Allergy Foundation is founded. The British Allergy Foundation was founded by a group of leading allergists who saw the need for a patient organisation dedicated to allergy – a chronic health condition that was affecting more and more lives in the UK  (to become Allergy UK).

1995:

Allergy UK’s Seal of Approvalis established.Now a globally recognised endorsement for products which have been scientifically tested and proven to reduce or remove allergens from the environment. It is currently used in 135 countries across the world by over 100 companies on a wide variety of products. The Allergy Friendly Product Award is given to products which have been independently tested and which are unlikely to cause a reaction.

1998:

Allergy Research Limited established as the trading subsidiary of Allergy UK. Providing independent scientific advisory and endorsement of products.
Launch of our first Allergy Awareness Week.

2002:

Allergy UK is established as charitable patient organisation. Under the umbrella of the British Allergy Foundation.

2003:

First seminars on allergy for nurses and midwives, laying the foundations for today’s successful Masterclass programme.

2005:

Online diploma in allergy launched.

2006:

Introduction of podcasts and web chat added to our Helpline for people living with allergy.

2007:

Project Blossom created to support children with allergic conditions.

2008:

Allergy UK granted charitable status in Scotland.

2009:

Launch of an Allergy UK website for healthcare professionals.

2010:

Development of regional allergy workshops for healthcare professionals in primary care.

2012:

Launch of a magazine for healthcare professionals, later known as Allergy Today.

2014:

Appointment of Carla Jones as Chief Executive Officer. Following retirement of the charity’s first CEO Muriel Symonds.
Launch of SAAG (School Allergy Action group) a programme to help schools develop an allergy management policy.

2015:

Launch of the first pilot for The Dietitian’s Service, providing specialist allergy advice to parents of children presenting with symptoms of food allergy; to date the service has supported over 2,350 families (June 2026).

2016:

Launch of our ‘Wheals of Despair’ campaign, focusing on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).
First Allergy Heroes Awards event, recognising the incredible people living with allergy and championing healthcare professionals who support them.

2017:

New integrated website goes live, marking a major step forward in digital support and laying the groundwork for today’s current platform.
Feasibility study for a nurse-led primary care based allergy service in NHS Lothian.

2018:

Allergy UK joins Instagram, expanding our digital presence and building a growing online community, now with over 21k followers (June 2026).
Second Allergy Heroes Award Programme.

2019:

Introduction of eNews, a monthly online newsletter expanding Allergy UK’s reach by sharing key resources, fundraising opportunities, and the latest allergy news and guidance.
Interactive Allergy House goes live, an online tool helping people living with allergy identify allergy “hotspots” in and out of the home.

2020:

Allergy UK, working with Anaphylaxis UK and the BSACI, provided expert guidance and reassurance to help address public concerns around COVID-19 vaccinations and booster jabs for people with allergies.
Launch of a programme of online webinar Masterclasses for healthcare professionals and a new programme of digital resources including videos and podcasts.

2021:

Allergy UK backs the APPG for Allergy report “Meeting the Challenges of the National Allergy Crisis,” a landmark call for government action to address the growing allergy burden and establish a national strategy to improve care and services.
Allergy UK unveils its new integrated and evolved website, the current platform designed to improve user experience and make information, advice and support more accessible.

2022:

Parlamentary launch of the Allergy UK Patient Charter, setting out a “gold standard” of care, education and equality for people living with allergy, developed with patients and clinical experts.
‘It’s Time to Take Allergy Seriously’ campaign kicks off our 2022 Allergy Awareness Week.
‘Judith’s Wish’ campaign is launched, raising awareness of severe food allergy and advocating for better food labelling in memory of Ruben.

2023:

Allergy Today magazine goes digital to become ‘Allergy Focus’, transitioning from print to an online, regularly updated format to reach more healthcare professionals and strengthen support for people living with allergy.
‘My Life, Your Hands’, 2023 Christmas fundraising appeal.

2024:

Simone Miles appointed Chief Executive Officer, having previously served as Operations Director since 2019.
Allergy Translation Cards move to an online shopfront, making it easier for people to order and access support for safer eating when travelling abroad.
Allergy UK develop its 2024 Election Manifesto advocating for the needs of the allergic community.
Allergy UK partner with The Allergy Team to deliver allergy and anaphylaxis training for school staff.

2025:

‘I Wish I Knew’ campaign kicks off our 2025 Allergy Awareness Week, focusing on three key messages. Allergies can strike at any age, allergies can impact other health conditions and getting a diagnosis is key to accessing the right care.
Allergy UK’s longest-standing employee and Helpline Manager, Raegan, reaches 25 years of service.

2026:

Allergy UK host parliamentary reception to launch the UK’s first National Allergy Strategy.
Allergy Awareness Week expands the ‘I Wish I Knew’ campaign, shining a spotlight on the message that diagnosis matters and encouraging earlier recognition of allergic disease to improve outcomes.
Allergy UK CEO Simone Miles appointed as the new Vice-President of the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA).

Our work with the National Allergy Strategy Group

The National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG) is an alliance of the professional organisations; BSACI (British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) and the patient charities, Allergy UK, Anaphylaxis UK and Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.

Formed in 2001, the aim of the NASG is to improve the lives of all people with allergies in the UK and influence Government to improve allergy services across the National Health Service so that all allergy patients receive high quality care with equitable access, regardless of where they live in the UK.

2003:

The Royal College of Physicians Report ‘Allergy – the Unmet Need’ is published highlighting the gaps in care provision for people living with allergy.

2004:

House of Commons Health Committee Report on Allergy published.
Appointment of a Department of Health senior civil servant with responsibility for allergy to work closely with the National Allergy Strategy Group.

2006:

Department of Health Report published with a number of key outcomes, including:

• • • A national competence framework for allergy care pathways for children with allergy as well as, most importantly NICE Guidelines in allergy which set national standards for the treatment of allergy.
    • ‘Nature and extent of allergy in the UK’ – evidence to the Department of Health Report from the BSACI.

2006/7:

Primary Care initiative – improving GP knowledge of allergy – a joint report by the National Allergy Group and the Royal College of Physicians.
Meeting with Health Minister Anne Keen on lack of access to care due to patchy and minimal services as a result of a lack of doctors trained in allergy. This led to a report to the Workforce Advisory Group on need to expand the allergy workforce and create more training places for doctors to train as allergists.

2007 – 2019:

House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Report.
Initiative to develop a a model new regional allergy centre  (the NW Allergy Centre).
RCP (Royal College of Physicians) and RCPath Report ‘Still not meeting the unmet need’.
Primary Care Initiative Phase 2 – Allergy in Primary Care: improving awareness and knowledge of allergy through GP training and education work with the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Training course in allergy developed with RCGP courses, BSACI training courses and the development of the Allergy UK Masterclasses for primary care.

Allergy UK representation on the All Party Parliamentary Group for Allergy

Allergy UK has been involved in the All Party Parliamentary Group for Allergy since its inception, taking part in the Group’s meetings and events focused on improving the health service provision for people living with allergic disease:

2009-2021

‘Young People and Allergy’ – a meeting for over 50 young people and their families at Portcullis House (2009).

Reception at the House of Commons attended by over 60 people with the Health Minister in attendance (2010).

Meeting on Airborne Allergies – their effect on quality of life (2011).

Meeting on improving allergy services – the journey towards adequate care (2012).

10 Years on after the Unmet Need Report: NHS still failing patients (2013).

Launch of the Report: Allergy, the Reality of the Unmet Need(2014).

Reception at the House of Commons: The Impact of Allergy calling for services; increase in education and better commissioning (2015).

‘Meeting the Challenges of the National Allergy Crisis,’ report is presented to Health Ministers to highlight the urgent need for a national allergy strategy and better NHS care for people living with allergic disease (2021).