M.E. Support-Norfolk has been in existence for 20 years now (having originally begun as a local branch of one of the national M.E. charities).

Since 2000, when our current name was adopted, we have been an independent, self-financing support group, catering for that part of Norfolk not covered by our sister group - West Norfolk M.E. Support.

Current Status/Affiliations

Since 2000, when our current name was adopted, we have been an independent, self-financing support group, catering for that part of Norfolk not covered by our sister group West Norfolk M.E. Support (Chairman: Margaret Duhig: 01553-828651).

MES-N (the initials in our name stand for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) has adopted the "Canadian Guidelines" definition of M.E. (http://tinyurl.com/br8oa).


Membership/Facilities/Services

Membership of MES-N, of course, fluctuates over time, but for the past few years has hovered around the 200 mark. We publish a monthly newsletter ("MEMO") for members, which, as well as articles and notices, contains Local Contact details along with information about various support services (the DWP, form-filling & advocacy agencies etc.).

We also have our own library of books, videotapes, DVDs and audio 'talking books' for members to borrow. (Most of these are naturally M.E.-related, but some are purely for enjoyment!)

Membership of MES-N costs £6 a year, running from July-June (but those joining at other times of the year pay the equivalent of 50p a month up until the following June).

We operate a telephone Helpline - 01379-650339 (also for membership enquiries).

Each year in April we hold an AGM for members, which is usually followed by a guest speaker whose presentation is open to the public. (Past years have featured speakers such as Jane Colby of TYMES Trust, Dr. Anne Macintyre, Dr. Betty Dowsett, Dr. Nigel Speight, Dr. Norman Pinder and Dr. Terry Mitchell, to name but a few).

We have also sponsored the occasional presentation at times other than our AGM, the two most recent being in 2005: Dr. Bruce Carruthers (principal author of the "Canadian Guidelines") and Prof. Malcolm Hooper (Emeritus Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and leading champion of M.E. & Gulf War Syndrome sufferers). Both presentations were filmed and made available on
DVD and videotape and a special DVD double-pack has also been distributed to all GP surgeries and health centres throughout Norfolk.

There are regular informal monthly support meetings in Gorleston (Great Yarmouth) and in and around Norwich - sometimes with presentations on topics such as nutrition and complementary therapies, although individual members and Local Contacts also have their own get-togethers. Members also take the initiative to organise various events throughout the year (particularly during M.E. Awareness Week) to raise funds for M.E. charities and research.


Aims/Objectives
 

Contact Details
 

Website: www.sayer.abel.co.uk/MES-N.html