Useful Links

National Organisations that provide information and assistance to people affected by ME.

The ME Association provides information, support and practical advice for people who are affected by ME/CFS/PVFS (Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome), their families and carers. They also fund and support research, and offer education and training.

Action for M.E. is the UK's leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with M.E. They have been at the forefront of the campaign for more research, better treatments and services since 1987, and they provide information and support to people affected by M.E.

There are approximately 200,000 people in the UK who suffer from M.E. Some do recover. However, approximately 25% of sufferers remain long term ill and severely disabled by the disease. Many are left isolated, housebound or even bedbound by the effects of the illness. It affects people from all walks of life, all age groups and can strike when you are least expecting it. The 25% M.E. Group exists to support all who have the severe form of M.E. and those who care for them. This includes people who are housebound, bedbound and wheelchair users.

AYME(pronounced ‘aim’) is the largest charity for children and young people with ME/CFS, with over ten years of knowledge and experience about how this illness affects children and young people.

Tymes Trust is the longest established national UK service for children and young people with ME and their families. It is a respected national charity whose entire professional team give their time free of charge. They work constantly with doctors, teachers and other specialists, and played a major role in producing the children’s section of the Dept of Health Report on CFS/ME (2002).

The links to the local offices of national charities or organisations.

Richmond upon Thames CAB can provide you with free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on the following areas: benefits, consumer matters, debt, education, employment, health, housing, immigration and nationality, the law, relationships, tax and so on.

KCABS is an independent charity, and a Company limited by Guarantee. They offer advice and information on a wide range of subjects, including welfare benefits, debts, housing, employment, relationships and legal issues.

Age Concern Richmond upon Thames, a well respected independent charity, forms part of an organisation whose name is renowned throughout the United Kingdom. They work across the borough to improve the quality of life for older people and to enhance their status and influence. Their mission statement: "To promote the well-being of all older people and to help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience".

Age Concern Kingston upon Thames is a leading third sector provider of services, with a reputation for quality and value. We also work in pioneering ways with children through our award-winning intergenerational projects.

National Campaigning organisations campaigning for funding biomedical research.

ME Research UK is a charity with an international remit funding biomedical research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as ME/CFS). Its principal aim is to commission and fund high-quality scientific (biomedical) investigation into the causes, consequences and treatment of ME/CFS, but it also has a mission to 'Energise ME Research'.

Invest in ME is an independent UK charity campaigning for bio-medical research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), as defined by WHO-ICD-10-G93.3. They have links nationwide and also internationally via thier membership of the European ME Alliance. Their aim is to bring together like-minded individuals and groups to campaign for research and funding to establish an understanding of the Aetiology (causes), Pathogenesis (harmful effects) and Epidemiology (the pattern of distribution of a disease through a population) of M.E. This should lead to the development of a universal diagnosis of M.E. and, subsequently, medical treatments to cure or alleviate the effects of the illness.

Research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

M.E. Solutions is a charity dedicated to finding a breakthrough in the treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. They remain convinced that the only way to find long term answers to this debilitating disease is through targeted and comprehensive biomedical research, focusing on the physical causes of M.E.

Sites set up by people with ME including practical ideas for coping with ME

Meetup is an easy site, aiming to list all the active support groups in the South-East.

The idea behind this website was to try to create a guide to M.E. which doesn't just mindlessly repeat the same inaccurate myths and propaganda again and again but instead focuses on the available facts.

Information Exchange Forum.

ME in the North East is an ME charity covering the Northern Region, from the Scottish Borders to North Yorkshire and including North Cumbria. Covering a population of 3 million with an estimated 12,000 people with ME (approx 2000 are young people up to 25 years).

Offering groups and resources for improving your quality of life as a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. Founded in 1998.

ME/CFS: Helpful Hints for Daily Living contains a collection of practical hints for those suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), including information on services and resources, with contact details to support and assist sufferers, their carers, families, friends, and health care practitioners.

These tips are a product of the ingenuity and experience of countless members of the M.E. community. For years practical tips have been passed through our community by word of mouth and pen. It is our hope that ‘The M.E. Tips Collection’ will make this easier.

This site is the home for SevereME/CFS: A Guide to Living by Emily Collingridge, a comprehensive reference book.

You might find these short videos useful, interesting or just entertaining.

ME/CFS video for the friends and family of sufferers.

Dr Charles Shepherd describes the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for Chronic Fatigue Symptom.

Annette Barclay has had chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME, for over 25 years. She talks about how the condition affects her life and the things that have helped her to stay happy.

Video, "Setting the Pace" - a guide to pacing for people with CFS/ME.

DVD Teachers' Guide for reintegrating children with ME into school.

Miriam suffers from M.E. She tells us what its like to live with the condition. She's also campaigning for a dedicated M.E. centre in her home town.

A video diary by Greg Crowhurst raising awareness about the physical reality of severe ME.

A video by Greg and Linda Crowhurst raising awareness of ME/CFS from a carer's and sufferer's perspective and the need to fight for recognition.

Other sites that might assist you.

Their mission is to create a Think Tank where top scientists from relevant fields can discuss current ME knowledge in order to determine the most crucial direction of future research, and to provide a reliable source of cutting-edge ME information that ESME will incorporate in the education of medical professionals.

Light-hearted look at disability.

TFL have produced maps of the London Underground indicating the 'step free' stations. Follow the link and scroll down to Step Free PDF.

Richmond AID is a charity of and for disabled people in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. We run a number of projects such as an advice service, gardening project, access work and outreach work.

KCIL is an independent, user-led organisation that has been working for 40 years to empower and support disabled people in the borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. We campaign for full equality of status, opportunity and inclusion for all disabled people and provide independent living/disability related services. Our services are targeted at all disabled people regardless of age/impairment, but are also available to non-disabled people or organisations.