International M.E./CFS & FMS Awareness Day. 
In a recent letter, Robin Walker Worcester MP, tells us -
“I welcome ME Awareness Week, and I hope it helps more people understand this condition, which can be so frustrating and distressing for many.”

May 12 - #MillionsMissing Global Virtual Meetup
#MillionsMissing is a global campaign for ME health equality.  No matter where in the world you are, throughout the day on May 12th, you will be able to call into a "virtual room" where you can connect with other activists.

Events in Worcestershire and nearby during May:
• Wednesday 8 May,
ME/CFS NHS Service M.E. Awareness Week Drop-In
anytime between 1.00 and 3.00 pm,  at the Lyppard Hub (Ankerage Green, Worcester, WR4 0DZ)
• Thursday 9 May,
Worcestershire M.E. Social Group Afternoon Café Meeting -
from 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm, at the Olive Grove Café, David's Garden Centre by Cherry Lane, Ash Lane, Worcester, WR3 8TB
All people with M.E., CFS, FMS, and their carers, friends and relatives, are welcome.  Join us for a bite to eat, or just a cuppa and chat.
• Friday 10 May  
from 12 noon - 3pm, at St Philip's Cathedral Square, Birmingham, B3 2QB
People from Worcestershire are welcome at the Solihull & South Birmingham ME Support Group’s third #MILLIONS MISSING BIRMINGHAM.  Full information from Solihull & South Birmingham ME Support Group and MEACTION.
• Tuesday 14 May
Walsall Fibro & M.E. Link Awareness Evening.  From 7.00 - 9.00 pm.
• Tuesday 21 May
Worcestershire M.E. Social Group Lunch
from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm, at The Mayfly Restaurant, Cob House Fisheries, Worcester Road, Wichenford, Worcester, WR6 6YE
All people with M.E., CFS, FMS, and their carers, friends and relatives, are welcome.  Join us for a bite to eat, or just a cuppa and chat. 
• Wednesday 29 May
Worcestershire NHS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E. Service Recovery And Management (RAM) Group.

The ME Association ask -  How will you Go Blue 4 M.E.?, and, explain  ME is REAL! Why ME Awareness Week matters more than ever…

M.E. Research UK tell us about ‘Walk for ME 2019’
The aim of Walk for ME is to get as many people as possible, especially the family and friends of those affected by ME, to do a sponsored walk, run, swim or ride of whatever length they feel comfortable with.  There is no minimum distance, no targets and, although it runs principally through ME Awareness Week (6th to 12th May 2019), no set dates. 

This year, 2019, marks the 27th anniversary of International May 12th Awareness Day.  The International Awareness Day for the spectrum of illnesses called Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND).

ME Awareness Day - The Birthday of Florence Nightingale
M.E. Awareness Week was established by patient advocates and is focused on May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who was believed to have suffered with M.E.

[Updates about the Worcestershire NHS ME/CFS service are on our 'About M.E' page]

Worcestershire GPs’ CFS/ME referral protocol [link goes to word document] is now available on the Worcestershire Health & Care NHS Trust website.  The referral protocol gives details of symptomology and tests that should be done prior to patients being seen by the ME/CFS Consultants, Dr Mirella Ling or Dr Mark Roberts, Specialist Consultants in Infectious Diseases, at Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust.  Dr Mirella Ling and Dr Mark Roberts, the Lead Clinicians of the Worcestershire Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) Local Multi-Disciplinary Team (LMDT), hold ME/CFS Clinics at Kidderminster Hospital.


The ‘Information for GPs’ explains that a timely diagnosis can make a significant difference to a patient’s prognosis and experience of living with this condition.  This webpage includes an ‘Introductory Guide to Fatigue Management’ 12 page leaflet which provides information for people who are experiencing chronic fatigue, and explains there are approximately 40 conditions that can cause fatigue.  The leaflet gives details of some basic management strategies that may be of use, regardless of diagnosis.

The CFS/ME LMDT’s NICE Guidelines information has been updated -
Although NICE guidelines are currently being reviewed, they currently suggest that the most effective treatments are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help improve the way you feel about the condition, and Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) to gradually build up exercise tolerance and improve fatigue levels. The principles of these therapies underpin the treatment provided by the Worcestershire CFS/ME Service.

The CFS/ME LMDT Recovery And Management (RAM) Group Calendar has been updated.  The Recovery And Management group is run on a bimonthly basis, and is open to anybody who has previously received treatment from the CFS/ME LMDT service and has now been discharged.
All sessions will be run by staff members of the Worcestershire CFS/ME service and are held on the last Wednesday of every other month at Ability House, St John's Campus, Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ.
Please note that these are provisional topics are subject to change. Please contact 01684 612671 to confirm prior to attending.

• Coping with frustration, anger and other difficult feelings - 29th May 2019 2pm-4pm Ability House, Worcester 
• Mindfulness - 31st July 2019  2pm-4pm Ability House, Worcester 
• Overcoming cognitive problems - 25th September 2019  2pm-4pm Ability House, Worcester 
• ‘Bring and share’ resources you have found helpful (books, courses, DVD’s etc) - 27th November 2019  2pm-4pm Ability House, Worcester 

Worcestershire M.E. Social Group’s website includes NHS Worcestershire Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E. Service information.

Social Group Lunch - Wednesday 24 April, from 12.30 pm, St Peters Garden Centre.
Please be aware, of the roadworks near the St Peters Garden Centre.    Norton Road, from the Worcester Southern Link Road to Norton is closed.   Search for 'WR5 2NY' on the Worcestershire roadworks website to find diversion routes.

All people with M.E., CFS, FMS, and their carers, friends and relatives, are welcome at all Worcestershire M.E. Social Group gatherings.  Join us for a bite to eat, or just a cuppa and chat. 

We meet socially in many locations throughout the county.