Beccles and District ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group was set up in November 2000. The local contact for the ME Association felt that there were enough people in the locality to make a group viable.
At our first meeting, we were expecting a dozen people – 25 turned up!
A mixture of sufferers and carers, from a wide range of ages, 10 years and upwards.
We have held meetings every month at our base in the Quaker Rooms in Beccles. The meetings vary between “Socials” and “Speakers”. We were very privileged to have Dr Terry Mitchell ( ME/CFS consultant from the James Paget Hospital ) speak to us. Some of our other speakers have covered a wide range of subjects including Nutrition, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, and Reiki.
An ME sufferer who recovered gave a talk on how she coped. One of our members talked about his relaxation technique “E.M.B.M.E” taken from a book called “Unwind” by Dr Darryl Ho Yen.
We have also had a speaker from D.I.A.L. – the Disablement, Information and Advice Line.
Our latest speakers were Graham Dodd Lowestoft Primary Care Trust, who spoke about the new Norfolk & Suffolk Primary Care Chronic Fatigue Service presently based at the James Paget Hospital, and Rt. Hon. Bob Blizzard M.P. (Waveney) who talked about the C.M.O.’s working Party report, which came out in January 2002.
We have also been aboard the Waveney Stardust (www.waveneystardust.co.uk) – this purpose built boat is for people with disabilities. We are hoping to arrange more trips this year.
The group has been very successful at raising the profile of ME, with members appearing in local press and hopefully more media coverage in the future. We also put fellow sufferers and carers in touch with one another to share information – be it books, telephone numbers or benefits advice.
We produce a quarterly newsletter for our members, who come from a wide area of Norfolk and Suffolk. The group is involved with local situations including the proposed amalgamation of local Primary Care Groups.
If you would like to become a member, or find out more about the group, e-mail us your Name & Address by clicking the link below, and we will contact you.
Please also check our message blog for news of future meetings.
