ME Research UK — Regional support groups

Regional support groups

These links are for information only, and ME Research UK does not necessarily endorse their contents. If you would like your organisation listed here, please contact us.

Further information about local ME support groups — including those which do not have their own websites — can be found in our list of Group Friends, and on the websites of ME Support and the ME Association.

United Kingdom

Beccles and District ME/CFS Support Group: “Formed in November 2000 from a mixture of sufferers and carers. Meetings are held every month, including socials and speakers.”
Bedfordshire ME Support Group: “The Group offers free membership to all Bedfordshire ME sufferers, their families, carers and friends, of all ages. It provides a monthly meeting, a telephone helpline, help by e-mail, information and news.”
Bristol ME Group: “A patients’ organisation, and a branch of the ME Association, run by people with ME/CFS (in the Bristol area).”
Bury/Bolton ME/CFS Support Group: “Aimed at supporting carers and sufferers from ME. There are an estimated 680 sufferers in Bolton and 460 in Bury, according to Action for ME national figures.”
Cambridge ME Support Group: “We hold regular meetings, have a library of relevant books and send a newsletter to local people who have ME/CFS. We also support their families, carers and friends.”
Castleford: MERSC (ME Research and Support Castleford): “Supporting research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.”
Central Birmingham ME Support Group: “A self-help group for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis sufferers and their carers in Birmingham, England. We hold regular Meetings in Bournville and publish Newsletters for all our members.”
Chester MESH: “A Chester-based self-help group for those people suffering with CFS/ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) who wish to be pro-active in their own recovery programme.”
Chorley and South Ribble ME Support Group: The group was formed in 1988 to help sufferers and carers understand and cope with this illness.
Clywd ME Support: “Meet other sufferers and carers in relaxed surroundings.”
Colchester MESH Group: “We are a registered charity serving sufferers (family and friends) from mainly Colchester and the surrounding area of North East Essex.”
Croydon ME Support Group: “Run wholly by fellow sufferers who understand the difficulties of dealing with ME/CFS. We aim to offer support, advice, and friendship to people with ME or CFS who live in Croydon and surrounding areas.”
Derbyshire: “ME Derbyshire is an independent group caring throughout the county. We publish our own local newsletter quarterly, and also provide information, have a small lending library, and can provide mutual support from members who have experience of CFS/ME themselves.”
Doncaster and District ME Support: “We help sufferers, their dependants, and carers of people suffering from: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (P.V.F.S.), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(C.F.S.) and allied disorders.”
Dumfries and Galloway ME Network: “We are a friendly group of sufferers and carers who have formed a network to offer support to one another. We hold regular meetings at various towns throughout the region.”
East Anglia ME Patient Partnership Group: “An umbrella group with corporate members representing local ME Support Groups from around the region.”
East Lancashire ME/CFS Support Group: “We are one of over 400 self-help, non-profit-making groups which span the country. Our group was founded in 1989 and is run entirely by volunteers - most of whom suffer from ME themselves.”
East Midlands ME/CFS Support Group: “We provide a bi-monthly newsletter with details of our help-lines, social events, medical research and treatments. We also endeavour to put local sufferers in touch with each other by phone or e-mail.”
Eastleigh and Winchester ME Support Group: “A locally-based independent self-help group for sufferers and those caring for people with ME/CFS. We aim to offer support, advice and friendship to people with ME/CFS who live in Eastleigh/Winchester and surrounding areas.”
Edinburgh ME Self-Help Group: “We aim to provide support, information and friendship to people affected by this illness. Although most of our members are ME sufferers, we also welcome carers, family and friends — indeed anyone with an interest in ME.”
Exeter Rainbow ME Support Group: “A holistic local support group in the Exeter area. Our main objectives are to offer mutual support and to help in the relief of symptoms of those with ME, to give updated information, and to assist families, friends, and the public in understanding the problems caused by this generally misunderstood illness.”
Gloucester City ME Group: “An independent, registered ME support charity serving Gloucester City and the surrounding area. We hold regular meetings and publish a monthly newsletter so that all members can be kept in touch with the latest information and events.”
Hampshire Friends With ME: “The aims of the group are to give support, information and help when needed, to raise awareness of ME/CFS, to put people in touch with each other, to produce a newsletter to be sent to all members, and to promote and publicise both the Group and other local and national groups supporting people with ME/CFS.”
Hampshire Support ME: “The support group for young people suffering from ME/CFS in Hampshire.”
Herefordshire CFS/ME/FMS Group: The aim of the group is “to give each other support, to share information and to campaign for proper levels of health care within the NHS”.
Hope For ME: “This network group aims to provide personal support, friendship, prayer and creativity, and to create links across different areas of the country, preventing the isolation of ME sufferers in their homes.”
Hull and East Yorkshire ME and CFS Self Help Group: “Our membership is made up of sufferers and carers who together have a wide knowledge of the problems, physical, mental and practical, that are caused by this illness.”
Leeds and District ME Group: “The Leeds and District ME Group is for people who suffer from ME, their carers, relatives, friends, and anyone with an interest in ME.”
Leicestershire ME Support: “Providing independent help and support for sufferers of ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and their carers in Leicestershire and nearby counties.”
Leger ME: Counselling service.
Lincoln MESH Group: “We are a local self-help group for ME and Chronic Fatigue sufferers, their families, carers and friends. MESH currently has 80 members. We have undergone many changes recently and have some exciting plans for the future.”
Liverpool and District ME Support Group: “A support group for people with ME/CFS/PVFS. Its aim is to help and support each other with what can be a very isolating illness on all levels. A place where people can share their experiences of this illness and everything that goes with it.” The group meets at St Mary’s Millenium Centre, West Derby Village, Liverpool. E-mail: me.liverpool@yahoo.co.uk.
London Network MESH: “A thriving ME self-help group covering West London, currently with 140 members. We were established in the late 1980s and have grown significantly over the last ten years. We are an independent self-help group, which means we are not directly affiliated to either of the national associations, but members of these organisations are welcome to join our group.”
MEnU: “A voluntary organisation in Billericay (Essex) offering support to young people aged from 11 to 25 years who suffer from ME or chronic fatigue symptoms. Opportunities are provided for young people to meet socially in a safe, caring environment, to make contact with one another in other ways and to have access to relevant medical information and self-management skills, in order to combat isolation and improve their quality of life. All who are 11 to 25 years from Billericay and adjacent areas are welcome. Meetings will be held fortnightly on Fridays 3 to 4 pm in the comfortable safe surroundings of The Link, Queens Park Avenue, Billericay. Refreshments provided. Drop in, or drop in and stay. For meeting dates, please contact dave.chuck@yahoo.co.uk.”
Mid and West Wales ME Support Group: Support for sufferers in Mid-Wales.
Milton Keynes ME Group: “A self-help group for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (or Encephalopathy), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome, and their carers, in the Milton Keynes area.”
Morecambe Bay ME Group: “An association of local people, both sufferers and carers, who have come together to provide mutual support and companionship, to keep members updated with medical research and treatment regimes, to give information and advice about benefits, social services and aid agencies, and to campaign for better NHS services within the Morecambe Bay area.”
Norfolk ME Support: Has a helpline, publishes a monthly newsletter, and holds informal get-togethers in Norwich and local Norfolk areas.
North East: “We are a regional charity for an area from the Scottish borders to North Yorkshire. We offer free membership, a comprehensive information pack on registration, a quarterly newsletter and opportunities to join us in social get togethers, local groups and conferences.”
North Herts ME Support Group: “Supporting people in North Herts who are affected by ME/CFS.”
North London ME Network: “We are a self-help network for people with ME and their carers. We exist primarily to help those with ME to make contact with one another for mutual support, exchange of information and to reduce the isolation we often experience with ME.”
Nottingham ME Self Help Group: “The group aims to reduce the isolation and stress of living with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome through mutual support.”
Penrith and Eden District: “MEED is an online information resource for people with ME (myalgic encephalopathy) in Penrith, Eden District and surrounding areas of Cumbria.”
Peterborough ME and CFS Self Help Group: “Formed in May 2000, to raise the public awareness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). We offer support to those affected by ME and CFS and aim to gather information for those interested in this area for personal or professional reasons.”
Plymouth and District ME Group: Provides information and support for people with ME/CFS, their family and friends.
Contact: 44 Skylark Rise, Woolwell, Plymouth PL6 7SN
E-mail: ruttershome@blueyonder.co.uk
Tel: 01752 214856.
Portadown and Armagh and Dungannon ME Support Groups: “Self-help groups for those suffering with ME and their carers. The groups’ aim is to share their collective experiences. They hold regular monthly meetings to offer support and to share experiences and information. The membership covers a wide area and new sufferers and their carers of all ages are most welcome. The monthly meetings have guest speakers drawn from various disciplines who are able to present what they feel can help people with ME.”
Preston ME/CFS Support Group: “The group provides local advice and information so that, largely through ‘self-help’, ME sufferers can manage their illness better and improve their recovery.”
reMEmber: “Helping people with ME get the best possible treatment to enable them to lead full and healthy lives. Also offers regional support to ME sufferers in East and West Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and Hampshire.”
Richmond and Kingston ME Group: “This group supports ME sufferers and their family and friends principally in the London Boroughs of Richmond and Kingston. We have a bi-monthly newsletter, library, telephone helpline, telephone contact list, coffee mornings and an e-mail chat group. We have a current membership of about 80 members.”
E-mail: skip812-rkmegroup@yahoo.co.uk
Rochdale ME Group: “The group, newly formed in November 2003, is here to provide support and friendship to sufferers of ME, and their friends, family and partners in Rochdale and the surrounding area.”
Ross-on-Wye ME Support Group: “Our main purpose is social contact and exchange of ideas, and although several of our members are not fit to attend meetings they keep in touch by phone and through our regular newsletter.”
Sheffield ME Group: “Run by sufferers for sufferers as a point of contact, information and support for people with ME/CFS of all ages and their families and carers in the area.”
Sheffield Yoga for ME/CFS: “Runs remedial yoga classes in the Sheffield area and has some useful information on yoga applied for those with ME or CFS on the information page of their website. This includes relaxation and specially adapted yoga tape/CD reviews, benefits of yoga for those with ME or CFS, feedback from members and survey results.”
Shropshire and Wrekin ME Support Group: Support for sufferers in Shropshire.
Solihull and South Birmingham ME Support Group: “An independent, self supporting group set up to provide support for sufferers of ME/CFS living in the Solihull and South Birmingham area.”
South East: MeetUp is a website with links and contact information for ME support groups in the South East of England. There is also information about other ME associations and websites, and general advice for people with the condition.
South West ME Alliance: “SWAME is an Alliance just formed of 12 support groups in the South West of England. Can be contacted via the Rainbow ME Support Group site.”
Staffordshire ME Support: “We are an active and caring support group for people with ME and associated Chronic Fatigue conditions, such as CFS, PVFS and Fibromyalgia. We cover the whole of Staffordshire and closely surrounding areas.”
Stockport ME Group: “Health and Education Regarding ME in Stockport.”
Suffolk Youth and Parent Support Group: “For pupils with long-term illnesses. The roles of the group include reducing isolation of young people and parents, sharing problems/strengths, and accessing and sharing information.”
Sunderland and South Tyneside ME/CFS Support Group: “A locally based independent, charitable organisation that is run by volunteers, the majority of whom have ME/CFS.”
Sussex ME/CFS Society: “A registered charity that informs, supports and represents those affected by ME/CFS in East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent.”
Sutton ME/CFS Support Group: “The group was started in January 1997 as a point of contact for people with ME/CFS and their carers to meet, chat and offer support to one another.”
Swindon ME Support Group: “To encourage and support sufferers and their carers in a positive way by meeting and keeping in touch regularly, to share information and ways of coping with the illness, to raise public awareness of ME and it’s causes and effects, to raise funds to cover the running costs of the Group and to provide money for research into ME”
Tameside and Glossop ME Support Group: “We are a self-help group run entirely by sufferers and carers offering moral support, advice and tips on how best to cope with the illness. As sufferers ourselves we know what it’s like to be ill with ME.”
Tyne Valley ME/CFS Support Group: “We are a locally based independent self-help group for sufferers and those caring for people with Myalgic Encephalomylitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.”
Welsh Association of ME and CFS Support: “An umbrella body set up in April 2001 with the aim of giving a united voice to ME and CFS sufferers in Wales.”
West Berkshire ME Support Group: “The aim of our group is to get people together who’ve all been affected by ME/CFS and are experiencing similar problems. This includes those suffering severe to mild ME symptoms, those recovering or in remission, as well as their friends, family and carers.”
West London ME Group: “Our main purpose is to provide mutual support to fellow members, circulate the latest research on ME, and campaign for the fair treatment of sufferers, to provide a true representation of the effects of the illness, and also to inform non-sufferers and less knowledgeable doctors, through real life articles, that M.E is a devastating physical condition suffered by hither-to bright active members of the community.”
Worcestershire ME Support Group: “For people with ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia within the Worcestershire area.”
Yeovil ME Support Group: “An active and caring support group for people who live with ME/CFS, their carers, friends, family and others willing to support people with ME/CFS in the Yeovil Area.”
York and District ME Support Group: “An independent group that provides support and information to people who have ME, their carers, family and friends.”

Europe

Ad vitam: Czech Republic CFS association (in Czech).
Association Francaise du Syndrome de Fatigue Chronique et de Fibromyalgie: French CFS association (in French).
Associazione Italiana Sindrome da Stanchezza Cronica: Italian CFS association (in Italian).
Danish ME/CFS Association: “ME/CFS Foreningen is the Danish ME/CFS Association. It was founded in 1992 and counts almost 500 members today. The purpose of the association is to provide factual information about ME/CFS to patients, families, health care professionals, and social authorities, and to offer support for patients and their families. The association offers: A magazine published 4 times a year; Research and coping information about ME/CFS; Information for doctors; Local support groups; Patient advisors and diet advisor; Legal advisors; and a child and youth group.”
Fatigatio eV: German ME/CFS association (in German).
Irish ME/CFS Support Group: This organisation has more than 400 members nationwide. It has regular meetings, often with guest speakers, in Dublin, organises a telephone network list, and produces a 30-page quarterly newsletter. It is involved in helping set up support groups around Ireland — currently there are four. The group is currently concentrating on raising money for research and raising awareness of the condition. Write to: PO Box 3075, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 2350965. Fax: (01) 4968360. Email: info@irishmecfs.org.
Irish ME Trust: “The Irish ME Trust provides information and support to suffers of ME and CFS in Ireland, employing a qualified counsellor with an in-depth knowledge of ME. As well as arranging meetings for members around the country, it supports members’ applications for government department benefits, and continues to lobby Government agencies for proper recognition of the illness and the establishment of a definitive clinic for diagnosis and treatment. The group feels strongly that ME patients need to see biomedical research into their condition, as well as the social and community care support that they deserve.”
ME Fonds: Dutch CFS organisation (in Dutch).
ME Platform: Dutch CFS organisation (in Dutch).
Norwegian ME Association: “The Norwegian ME Association, Norges Myalgisk Encefalopati Forening, was founded in 1987. At the end of 2003 we counted 743 members from all over the country. We have an office in Oslo, centrally located behind the university and close to the palace, and have established ‘self-help’ groups in many counties. Every other week we have ‘open house’ for members or anyone who wants to talk to us, get more information or buy books on the subject (only in English). We provide factual information about ME to lay and health professionals, help and support people with ME and their families and carers, and produce a magazine and newsletter.”
Waterford ME Support Group: Annmarie Buckley, 3 Cezanne Drive, Norwood, Waterford, Ireland. Tel: 00 353 51 358268 or 00 353 87 2436294.
E-mail: annmarie_buckley@hotmail.com.

United States of America

Cf Alliance: Offers free international services specifically for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Fibromyalgia (FM) and related illness sufferers of all ages, including their families, friends, support groups and caregivers worldwide.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Support Group of Dallas and Fort Worth: Support group in Texas.
Nova CFS/FMS Support Group: “Meetings, web, e-mail outreach and telephone conferences for those with CFS, FM, ME and similar conditions in the Washington, DC, USA area and beyond. Long distance members welcome.”
PANDORA: “Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research and Advocacy, Inc. PANDORA’s mission is to create and raise awareness, provide support and educational resources, establish partnerships, support research, encourage creation of empowerment groups, organise conferences, and advocate for quality of life issues for persons with Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Gulf War syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities and other related illnesses.”
Shasta CFIDS: “A non-profit, self-help support group for those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Mycoplasma, and related conditions. We currently serve a five county Northern California area.”
Wisconsin CFS Association: “Our purpose is to act as a clearinghouse for CFS information within the state of Wisconsin; to assist patients and their families; to encourage communication among agencies, institutions and concerned individuals; and to promote research on the cause, cure and ultimate prevention of chronic fatigue syndrome.”

For other USA groups, see the directory by NoVA CFS/FMS support group and CFSupport.

Canada

MESS: ME Support Services is a volunteer organization based in Toronto dedicated to helping those who suffer from ME/CFS. By keeping abreast of current medical research into the condition, as well as the latest treatment strategies (both pharmaceutical and holistic), MESS strives to foster understanding of this condition and the difficulties in living with it.

A list of local support groups in Canada can be found on the FM-CFS Canada website.

Australia and New Zealand

Chrysalis: The CFS Youth Support Group of Western Australia
ME/CFS Society of New South Wales: “Committed to assist people who are adversely affected by ME/CFS, with special emphasis upon the people of New South Wales. Provides information and support to all who are affected by ME/CFS and related illnesses, promotes accurate awareness of ME/CFS within medical and scientific communities and the wider public, and supports research into the pathophysiology and treatment of ME/CFS.”
ME/CFS Society of Queensland: “Provides support, information and practical assistance to people affected by ME/CFS/FM.”
ME/CFS Society of South Australia: “Aims to improve the quality of life and health management of people with ME/CFS, whilst supporting community education and research initiatives.”
ME/CFS Society of Victoria: “A non-profit charitable organisation dedicated to serving the CFS community in Victoria and Tasmania.”
National ME/FMS Country Network Australia: “Our aims are to reach out to support families and individuals affected by ME/FMS in rural and remote areas, to provide services appropriate to their needs, and to act as an advisory committee to government and medical authorities.”
South Australian Youth with ME/CFS: The group aims to provide contacts for sufferers of ME/CFS and their families, help young people connect with others who can understand what they are going through, and provide information on dealing with ME/CFS and referrals to appropriate persons through the ME/CFS Society.