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Welcome to Hampshire Friends with M.E.

Click on the button below for our upcoming events and notifications:

From time to time we organise Open Days at local community centres. These are opportunities for new and existing members to meet each other, as well as for members of the public to come and join us and ask questions.

To register your interest in attending an Open Day, please click on the button below:

Open Days

Do you want to read about the recent events or activities that members have been involved with? Click on the button below:

What is Hampshire Friends with M.E.?

We are a group of friends that suffer with the condition ME/CFS, or are relatives and carers of people with ME/CFS. Through this website and via our members-only facebook group, we offer on-going support, helpful information and advice to our members.

You are welcome to join us as a member from the age of 16, even if you are awaiting a diagnosis (where ME is suspected but not yet confirmed).

To read more about our charity, please click on the button below:

About Us

On-line chat: We run a facebook group which is only available to members who have joined our charity. This keeps the group relatively small but friendly. Please be aware of our Facebook Code of Conduct

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I get information on applying for disability-related benefits?

Hampshire Friends with ME subscribes to the website "Benefits and work" which gives invaluable advice on making Personal Independence Payment claims, as well as claims for Employment and Support Allowance. There is also information about Universal Credit as well as Attendance Allowance and DLA. Members may access this information. Please click on the following link for more details.

Work and Benefits link

How do I become a member?

If you would like to become a member, you can visit the Join Us page, which provides information about membership levels, benefits, and how to join.

Join Us

What you can expect as a member?

Most of us involved in the running of the charity have direct experience of ME and so we have an understanding of what it means to live with the condition. If you decide to join as a member:

We will put you in touch with others who have lived with ME and are empathic to the difficulties you may be experiencing.
We will provide a place to socialise, share experiences, coping strategies, and form new friendships.
We will provide helpful information about the condition. Between us we have a wealth of knowledge about strategies such as 'pacing', benefits and related services, and complementary therapies.
We have an enquiry line for members if you need additional advice.
Upon request, we will add you to our members-only facebook group so you can "converse" with others living with this condition.

"Finding this group has changed my world of loneliness to having the support of people that know what I'm going through. It has helped me to get out and actually meet people".
S. Goddard

"It's of great benefit to draw upon the experience and knowledge of others in coping with everyday life, e.g. strategies to manage symptoms, navigating the benefits system, and what to expect from GP's and other medical professionals".
R. Griffin

"Hampshire Friends with ME has been an absolute lifeline for me. The support and friendship from other members is fantastic".
T. Chant

How do I access the following content which is only available to members?

Making Contact
Benefits Guides
Self-help Guides
Newsletters
Local Services

Please log in to our "members only area" Details of how to do this can be found by clicking the button below:

What useful management advice and tips can you share with me?

There is currently no cure for ME /CFS and the NHS is very limited as to what help it can provide. Self help and self management techniques are therefore keenly advocated by Hampshire Friends with ME. We are the ones who have to live with this illness and it is therefore incumbent on us to take responsibility for improving our own health and quality of life.

To read more about ways we can do this, please click on the button below:

Self Help

How do I make a donation to support HFwME?

We no longer charge annual renewal fees but instead rely on donations to supplement the work that we do. Please visit the Donations page for details of how to support us.

Make a donation

How do I find out about recent research and developments in the world of ME?

Click on the button below to access articles and links that members have submitted:

Research articles and links

Click on the button below to access useful links to other ME support organisations:

Links to other ME organisations

How do I get in touch if I have another question?

If you want to get in touch with us, please email membership@friendswithme.org.uk We would love to hear from you.

If you are having problems with this website, please email webmaster@friendswithme.org.uk