What is the Stockport ME Group?
We are an independent registered charity, run by volunteers, whose aim is to help improve the quality of life for all ME sufferers, their families and carers. As well as ME/CFS we also welcome people with Long Covid, Fibromyalgia and other linked conditions in Stockport and the surrounding areas including Greater Manchester and East Cheshire.
The group actively campaigns for improved services for all sufferers, e.g. NHS and statutory benefits.
Membership
Membership is open to anyone living in Stockport and the surrounding areas who has ME/PVFS/CFS (whether diagnosis has been confirmed or not) or to their family/partner/carer – or anybody else who is sympathetic to the aims of the Group. We also welcome people who have other similar or related conditions such as Fibromyalgia or Long Covid if they feel they might benefit from our group.
There is a small annual subscription, however, free membership is available for anyone who cannot afford to pay. Our Membership renews in October so if you are joining later in the year you are welcome to pay a lower rate if you wish.
Membership Benefits
- Monthly meetings with expert speakers.
- Library/postal library of ME books, videos and tapes.
- Regular Newsletters.
- Wheelchair loan.
- Welfare and benefits advice.
- Access to local support services.
- Close links with NHS Services for adults/children with ME.
- Groups such as:- Yoga, Meditation and Relaxation.
- ‘ME friendly’ social events.
- Somebody to talk to and who knows what you are talking about!
Activities and Services in more detail
We hold meetings once a month usually on the 2nd Friday. Recently these have been taking place online via Zoom and the sessions are recorded where appropriate so those not able to attend can still benefit from the sessions. We also ensure that there is a write up of each session that appears in our newsletter HERMES.
We also hold irregular social events which are sometimes online and sometimes in person. There are about one a month but it depends on interest levels. Events have included quizzes, catch-ups in peoples gardens, Murder Mystery events, cinema trips and soap making. Fiona organises most of our social events so speak to her if there is any particular social event you would like to see take place.
We are experimenting with a monthly online “Drop in ” enabling people a chance to meet in smaller numbers without a set topic or speaker. These are a great if you prefer a less structured session, you just fancy a chat or if you are new and have questions or want to know more about what we do.
Newsletter – we have a newsletter HERMES that goes out 3-4 times a year with articles by members, a directory of relevant services and write ups of sessions as well as keeping members informed of what events we have coming up.
Facebook group – we have an active Facebook group with over 130 members. It is a closed group although welcome to anyone local with ME/CFS and a great place to share experiences and access some peer support.
Advice line and Member support – Members can use our advice line to get advice and support on a wide range of issues. In the past we have run specific projects and groups such as a parents group and benefits projects. We now try to be reactive to what members need so reach out if you want advice or support with anything. We cannot promise we can help but we certainly cannot help with a problem or situation we do not know about. We also have access to some excellent benefit guides and can signpost to experts who can support people with benefit issues.
Ad hoc activities – we have run workshops and sessions on a range of topics such as ME adapted yoga. See the events section and our newsletter to see what is currently available.