M.E. Constituencies

Although there are some very good local support groups for people with M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) around the UK, some M.E. sufferers and their carers do not have one in their area at all; or it is too far, across town, for ill people to travel; or they have not found an organisation to their liking.

ME Free For All. org has come up with a better way of local representation, simply by following the geographical areas marked by the 646 political constituencies in this country.

These M.E. Constituencies make it possible for more mobile sufferers, as well as carers, to visit others living only streets away, invite them to their homes, or meet up in a local cafe or pub. For everyone, and especially the more severely affected housebound and bedridden sufferers, there are other ways to communicate, including our online group ME at every level. There is the possibility of very local support from people to collect a prescription, go shopping for you, take you to the doctors in their car, or help to clean your house and tidy your garden.

The structure is much less bureaucratic and rigid. It's free and there are no commitments, obligations, or expectations of any constituency member.

There is bang up to date news, research and discussion for those who want it and are well enough to cope with it but there is also a good atmosphere of fun, with jokes, competitions, shared hobbies, pen pals and, ahat M.E. brings by meeting new people and talking about anything - nbove all, the chance to break the loneliness and isolation tot just M.E. Most importantly, it is always up to the individual to decide what suits them best. You can take it when you want, leave it when you are not feeling up to it and resume when you are well enough again.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer to be a co-ordinator, or representative of any of our 646 M.E. constituencies, which adhere to the manifesto should look at the template of a model constituency and, perhaps, an M.E. constituency that is already up and running and then send an e-mail to info@mefreeforall.org with "M.E. constituencies - volunteer" in the subject line.