Ben (our co-chair) will give an update on what can be publicly shared so far of the work in progress to develop combined services for ME/CFS and Long COVID for the NHS in Greater Manchester. Along with Barry and Nia he has been campaigning for many years on behalf of Stockport ME Group for more comprehensive and improved services across Greater Manchester.
He is a lived experience representative of the steering group developing the new NHS services and has been meeting regularly with Greater Manchester Integrated Care on behalf of Stockport ME Group both supporting them in carrying out a review initially of ME/CFS but expanding also to consider Long Covid and also campaigning to represent the interests of the ME/CFS and Long COVID communities of Greater Manchester.
In this session Ben will give an overview of the campaigning work Stockport ME Group has been carrying out over the last decade as well as sharing what can be publicly shared about current developments. He will also be looking at some of the reasons why combined ME/CFS and Long COVID services are necessary.
There will be less time for questions than usual after this session as Ben will be in the next Steering group meeting immediately after the session. We are lobbying for there to be a chance for the community to give feedback on the proposed new service once details have been finalised.
************ There is still a chance to share your experiences and ideas so that they can help shape the services that are being developed. See the bottom of this post for more information. ****************
As usual this meeting is open to everyone whether you have ME/CFS, Long COVID, Fibromyalgia or care for someone who does. We focus our activities on Greater Manchester and East Cheshire and our face to face sessions tend to be in Stockport but people are welcome from anywhere.
The session will start at 11am although some of us will log in early to chat and there will be opportunities to ask questions etc. as well as some time after the session too. During the session it is helpful if you have your audio muted if you are not wanting to ask a question, particularly if you are going to do something noisy. If you are moving around then it is helpful to have your video turned off as this can trigger symptoms for some people.
You are welcome whether you are a member or not but we do encourage people who attend more than one or two of our sessions to consider joining and maintaining a membership. Membership lasts one year and runs October to September. It is fine to be in your PJ’s, in your bed, with your hair a mess etc. just whatever works for you.
Stockport ME Group is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Stockport ME Group Zoom Meeting
Time: May 9, 2025 11:00 London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7771165459?pwd=c0orczZDbExHbzFKTjlkeUR5RndtQT09&omn=84242681585
Meeting ID: 777 116 5459
Passcode: smeg
One tap mobile
+442034815240,,7771165459#,,,,071734# United Kingdom +441314601196,,7771165459#,,,,071734# United Kingdom
Dial by your location
- +44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom
- +44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom
- +44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 777 116 5459
Passcode: 071734
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc7FwnyLP1
**************Share your experience of using ME/CFS and Long Covid services in Greater Manchester (GM) in this short survey by NHS GM: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/USVNXF/.
Your views will help NHS GM understand what people with ME/CFS and Long Covid think a new service should look like. Closes 12 May.
