Saturday 31 July 2010 www.eastlancsme.org.uk

THE EAST LANCS ME/CFS ONLINE RESOURCE

WHAT IS ME/CFS? BENEFITS FOR ME CARING FOR ME/CFS FRIENDS WITH ME THE ME CHARITIES NHS CFS/ME SERVICE LOCAL ME GROUPS USEFUL WEB SITES BOOKS ON ME/CFS RELAXATION CDs HOME PAGE

ME CHARITIES Some of the main charities helping people with ME/CFS are: Action for ME Association of Young People with ME ME Association MERGE National ME Centre Young Action Online/Tymes Trust 25% ME Group ACTION FOR ME Action for ME (AfME) was founded in 1987 after an article in the Observer newspaper which prompted 15,000 letters. Clare Francis, who has ME herself, was the founding chairperson. Membership costs 15 pounds a year and members recieve four newsletters a year plus access to AfME's counselling, information, and welfare helplines (for members only). It recently launched A4ME - a web site for people under 18. WEB SITE   www.afme.org.uk A4ME SITE   www.a4me.org.uk ASSOCIATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ME The Association of Young People With ME (AYME for short - pronounced "aim") is a registered charity dedicated to giving help and support to children and young people with ME. It was founded by former headteacher, and ME sufferer, Jill Moss and its president is Ester Rantzen. WEB SITE   http://www.ayme.org.uk ME ASSOCIATION ME Association (MEA) was formed in 1976 and describes itself as the UK's leading source of information and support for people with ME and their carers. Membership costs 18 pounds a year, with concessions available, and members receive four newsletters a year plus access to their welfare helpline. ME Association also offers a listening ear service and information helpline called ME Connect to both members and non-members. WEB SITE   www.meassociation.org.uk MERGE MERGE is the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Research Group for Education and Support. It is a UK charity with the principal aim of commissioning and funding scientific investigation into the causes, consequences, and treatment of ME. WEB SITE   www.meresearch.org.uk NATIONAL ME CENTRE Since the National ME Centre (NMEC) opened in 1990, thousands of people with ME/CFS have contacted them. They provide a telephone helpline, advice on local ME services, and, in addition, GPs can refer patients who have been diagnosed with ME to the centre. WEB SITE   www.nmec.org.uk YOUNG ACTION ONLINE/TYMES TRUST Young Action Online (YAO) is run by Jane Colby from the Tymes Trust who is a former headteacher and Consultant for the Education of Children with ME. She has written a number of books: incuding "Zoe's Win" which is in our group's library. Tymes Trust is the longest established national UK service for children and young people with ME and their families and launched in 1988. WEB SITE   http://www.youngactiononline.com 25% ME GROUP The 25% ME Group provides services to people affected by severe ME - many of whom are virtually houseband and/or bedbound. WEB SITE   http://www.25megroup.org