Our strategy 2026–31
CF limits lives. We’re here to change that.
Our strategy sets out how we'll work towards a life without limits, so everyone with cystic fibrosis (CF) can live a long and full life.
Over the next five years, we'll focus on four strategic priorities shaped by the experiences, needs and ambitions of people affected by CF.
Introducing our five-year strategy 2026–31
What will it take to make a life without limits possible for everyone with cystic fibrosis (CF)? In this video, our Chief Executive, David Ramsden, introduces our plans for the next five years and how we’ll work towards a future where everyone with CF can live a long and full life.
Shaped by the CF community
This strategy reflects the views and experiences of thousands of people affected by CF and the wider CF community. Our understanding and priorities have been shaped by insights from UK CF Registry data, our Community Involvement Group, the research priority setting process we carried out with the James Lind Alliance, surveys, focus groups, discussions at our clinical and research conferences and events, and many other inputs. Thank you to everyone who has shared their hopes and ambitions with us.
– David Ramsden, Chief Executive
Our vision: A life without limits
We are the only UK-wide charity uniting people to stop cystic fibrosis (CF). We fund vital research, improve care, speak out, and race towards effective treatments for all. Our vision is a life without limits so that everyone with CF can live a long and full life.
CF makes life too hard and too short for too many.
Advances in treatments and care mean many people with CF are living longer, but CF remains a lifelong, life-limiting condition without a cure. Not all treatments benefit everyone, and growing older brings new, unforeseen challenges.
Everyone with CF continues to need specialist care, information, and support.
Our strategy responds to the challenges our community faces during this time of progress and uncertainty – and sets out where we believe we can make the biggest difference.
Our four priorities
Living with CF: Tackling the daily challenges
CF affects physical and mental health and many other parts of daily life, including education, work, and travel. We need to make sure that everyone gets the care, information, treatments, and support they need today to manage their CF and live a long and full life.
What we want to achieve
- Everyone with CF receives holistic, high-quality, future-ready care shaped by their needs.
- Everyone with CF benefits from better diagnosis and treatment of CF complications.
- Everyone with CF has timely, accessible, and trusted information when they need it.
- Everyone with CF can easily access support, advice, and guidance.
- Everyone with CF experiences greater awareness and action on the factors affecting their health and wellbeing.
What we will do
- We will provide accessible, trusted information and support.
- We will champion high standards and equitable access to specialist CF care.
- We will advocate for better treatments, education, employment, and financial support.
- We will campaign for healthier air quality, housing, and living environments.
- We will connect people with CF and healthcare professionals to share learning, innovation, and experiences.
A typical day starts with physio. Getting physio done early helps set up the rest of the day. After that, there’s medication and everything else that comes with managing CF. Throughout the day I’m thinking about food, treatments and making sure I stay on top of everything. Then there’s another physio session later on. A day in the life with CF means constantly thinking about CF because it affects so many decisions throughout the day. It's always there so you can’t ignore it.
– Adam, who has CF
Future challenges of a changing CF: Responding to new challenges in CF
As more people with CF live longer, new challenges and uncertainties are emerging. We need to support people as they face a wider range of health issues, alongside other challenges like balancing work, education, or having a family with living with CF.
What we want to achieve
- Everyone with CF can live longer, healthier lives through research and better treatments.
- Everyone with CF has access to treatments addressing all aspects and complications of CF.
- Everyone with CF can use their health data and information to better understand and manage their CF.
- Everyone with CF receives care and support that reflects the changing needs of an ageing CF population.
- Everyone with CF benefits from a world-leading UK CF Registry that supports research and improves care.
What we will do
- We will accelerate research into new and better treatments.
- We will anticipate and respond to the health, social and practical challenges of living longer with CF.
- We will use community feedback, Registry data and quality improvement data to identify inequalities and improve care.
- We will continue developing the UK CF Registry to reflect the needs of an increasingly diverse and complex CF population.
Your mindset changes from being told you’re not going to live to a certain age, outgrowing that, going further and knowing you can probably go further. It’s amazing growing older, but I’m now in the unknown.
– Tonia, who has CF
No one left behind: Addressing health inequalities
Some people with CF face different and extra barriers to staying well and living a full life. We need to make sure those that have additional barriers receive additional support.
What we want to achieve
- Everyone with CF gets the treatment, care, and support they need.
- Everyone with CF has access to effective treatments, including those who cannot benefit from current therapies.
- Everyone with CF has their individual barriers to good health recognised and addressed.
What we will do
- We will raise awareness of and tackle challenges faced by people who:
- cannot benefit from modulators
- have had a lung transplant
- are from ethnic minorities
- live in poverty.
- We will prioritise research that addresses the needs of people who cannot benefit from current treatments or face additional barriers to good health.
I used to have a strong online community of people with CF, and since modulators have come along, I’ve felt pushed out. I don’t have a community with people with CF my age, who can’t take modulators, which is sad. It’s like an illness inside of an illness.
– Abi, who has CF
Stronger together: Creating opportunities for connection and support
CF is a rare condition, which can be very isolating for people affected by it. Cross-infection makes it harder for people to support each other. We need to make sure people with CF can build connections with one another and drive powerful positive change.
What we want to achieve
- Everyone affected by CF feels less isolated through stronger connections and mutual support.
- Everyone affected by CF has their diverse voices and lived experiences shape our work.
- Everyone affected by CF can safely take part in fundraising and activities that create impact and influence the future.
What we will do
- We will put lived experience at the heart of everything we do.
- We will create opportunities for people with CF, families and support networks to connect, share experiences and support each other.
- We will develop inclusive and innovative fundraising opportunities so more people with CF can participate.
When Oliver was first diagnosed, we used Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s website for a lot of resources. Particularly sharing with our friends and family so we weren't answering questions early on, that we really didn't know the answers to. We also used the resources to prepare him for starting nursery and will be refreshing our memories this autumn when we have to apply for his school place.
– Bryony, whose son Oliver has CF
Our research goals
Our research goals are based on what people affected by CF told us matters most through the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership.
How we'll make it happen
To maximise our impact and income and achieve our goals we need to continue to build and strengthen our internal capabilities.
What this means
- We will support and develop research infrastructure, including clinical trials and the UK CF Registry.
- We will put the lived experience of people with CF at the heart of our work.
- We will attract and retain talented, diverse, and committed people.
- We will ensure we have effective data, systems, and technology.
- We will build sustainable fundraising and commercial income.
- We will strengthen our partnerships and collaboration.
Read the full strategy
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