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The ME Association

We're here for you…

The ME Association has been providing expert help since 1980. We understand the challenges faced by people with ME/CFS and Long Covid and believe that nobody should struggle alone. 

About Us

Health Crisis

We estimate that at least 404,000 people in the UK have ME/CFS. In addition, 950,000 people unable to recover from a Covid infection could meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. This could mean that 1,350,000 adults and children in the UK are affected by ME/CFS. It represents a very real health crisis, and we are determined to improve the healthcare that people receive.

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The MEA's Clinical Assessment Toolkit & App is now here!

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Changing attitudes and improving lives…

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Membership

We put our member's interest at the forefront of all that we do. In return for your support you will receive ME Essential magazine.

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Get Involved

There are so many ways to help including fundraising, campaigning, legacies, and joining as a member.

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Support

At ME Connect we listen and we understand. If you need help or want to talk, we’re here, 6 days a week.

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Research

We make prudent investments in medical research to increase our knowledge in the hope it will lead to effective treatments.

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Healthcare4ME

We are committed to working with the NHS and social care providers to improve healthcare for people with ME/CFS and Long Covid.

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Literature

We have an extensive range of free literature written by Dr Charles Shepherd, other advisers, and topic experts.

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Medical Matters

Do you have a question about symptoms, treatments, or other health-related topics? See our specialist advisers' Q&A.

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Donate

Everything we achieve is thanks to the generosity of supporters like you.

The Latest News

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ME Association Testimonials

  • Without ME Connect an awful lot of patients would have no contact with the outside world and I am so grateful for your service. I’m very grateful that you give me and others a platform to talk about ME/CFS, thank you for existing!

  • Really happy with all the signposting, the service has been a big help

  • It has been really refreshing speaking to you, you help me and make me feel validated

  • I was so happy to talk to someone who understands the condition. I felt close to tears of joy, knowing you are here.

  • I’m so happy with everything you can offer; the listening ear, signposting, and helping me make sense of what steps are available. I’m really glad I called.

  • I wasn’t aware of any of the resources and groups that are available. I’m so happy I called and will call again – I found the experience a lot less daunting than I expected, and very useful.

  • I am so grateful for having someone to call and be there and listen – you are more than just a helpline. Please pass my appreciation on for everything you do.

  • Thank you so much.  You've given me way more than I was expecting, some concrete information and tools so now I feel more confident and like I can be in the driving seat.  It's really fantastic information (on the website).

  • You've been the nicest people to listen to me in a long while

  • Thank you very much.  I feel very relieved that I've spoken with you.  There's lots of information to go through which will really help me. 
    Thank you.

  • I can't tell you how much this means to me to talk to someone… this has been very lonely and difficult. I'm very grateful to you and the organisation for being there.

  • I can tell you anything, I’m so happy I can call you for support

  • Talking has really lifted my mood and brightened my day up

  • I’m happy to have been listened to

  • If people treated me and listened to me like you are now, I'd feel so much more comfortable

  • Talking to you has made my day

  • I really appreciated the chat, and the signposting to places that can support me through this issue

  • I’m so happy to have someone who could listen and understand and make me feel heard

  • I’m so happy to have an understanding ear 

  • I’m so appreciative of having someone listen with empathy and be able give me support

  • I really appreciate the helpline service and being able to chat to knowledgeable volunteers

  • I’m very grateful for the chat. One day I would love to be able to volunteer.

  • I’m very glad there is someone to talk to who understands

  • I’m so grateful that there is your phone line to talk to. I really appreciate that I could speak to someone who gets the condition

  • I would like to compliment the whole team at the ME Association especially Dr Shepherd. The information and guidance you share is comprehensive and really helps me cope with ME/CFS.

  • The ‘Essential' magazine gets better and better; the presentation is very clear and the content easy to read. I am particularly interested in the research news, ‘ask the doctor', and management. It is informative and very encouraging.

  • To all of the founders and staff of the ME Association, I just want to offer a sincere thanks for the incredible useful and well laid out information available on your website.
    Thank you, sincerely for your contribution.

  • The online information provided is so thorough, accessible and is laid out in such a user friendly way. You have given me a guidepost now to seek diagnosis and, hopefully, a way forward.

  • I have been a member for 18 years and just want to send you all a special thank you for all your hard work and support, especially the hope you create that one day there will be a cure for this horrible illness. A very special thank you to Dr Shepherd and his colleagues for insisting NICE keep the revised guidelines.

  • Thank you so much for the Covid priority template letter for GPs. I  sent your template letter to my GP and got a call the next day to book my vaccination.

  • Being a member of the MEA stops me from feeling so alone. It is a very strong advocate for patients.

Terminology

PVFS = Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome
ME = Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Encephalopathy
CFS = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Long Covid = Post-Covid Syndrome

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