One of our main functions is a regular meet-up, where members can talk to others with similar experience in a friendly setting. We exchange information about the treatment and management of CFS/ME and give each other help and support.

We respect the limitations that may come with ME, such as sensitivity to noise or multiple conversations, and try to give people the space and understanding they need. Members keep away when they might have coughs and colds or other infections. You can contribute as little or as much as you wish to the chat. The main benefits are meeting other people with the same condition, not having to explain yourself to others who don't understand, learning more about how other people cope with ME and being able to talk about your own problems if you wish. We try to make our meetings friendly and cheerful, to be positive and discuss problems without being gloomy or moaning.

Meet-ups in Bedford and Luton

Usually, our meet-ups are held in local pubs, with general chat/discussion mainly about M.E.-related matters. Many members are unable to come to meetings for various reasons, so average attendance is only about six.

Meet-ups are held in Bedford and Luton and the surrounding area.   Members may come and go as they please at any time during the period of the meet-up.

Please phone or email for the latest meeting venue and directions how to get there (see Contacts below).

Meet-up dates

For now we will continue with online meet-ups by Zoom.  We’ve stuck with meet-ups every 6 weeks, alternately on Wednesdays and Thursdays, in case people have other commitments on certain days.  If we are able to return to pub or cafe meet-ups, we’ll go back to the old arrangements of Luton on Wednesdays and Bedford on Thursdays.

You don't need to have Zoom installed to take part, or to learn how to use it.  A week before each meeting, I send everyone an email with a link to click at the time of the meet-up.  Zoom then opens automatically in the participant's browser, and with another click you're admitted to the Zoom session. 

Meet-up dates in 2022

All meet-ups start on Zoom at 2pm

Wednesdays	Thursdays
26 January
	10 March
20 April
	2  June
13 July
	25 August
5 October
	17 November

Contact

To find out more, please telephone the helpline or send an email.

Telephone Helpline: 01525 750078
All calls left on the anwerphone will be returned

email: bedsmesg@googlemail.com

Related Organisations

Bedfordshire M.E. Support Group is affiliated to the National organisation:
Action for M.E. http://www.actionforme.org.uk/
We also have contacts with other support groups in the surrounding areas.
We exchange Newsletters with them and attend each other's functions.
North Herts ME Support Group http://www.nhmesg.org.uk/
Milton Keynes ME Group www.mkmeg.org.uk

Useful Links

The M.E. Association http://www.meassociation.org.uk/

Association of Young People with M.E. (AYME) http://www.ayme.org.uk/

The Tymes Trust (also for young people) http://www.tymestrust.org/

Bedbound/Housebound/Severe ME http://www.25megroup.org/

General information about M.E.
www.chronicfatigue.about.com

General information about M.E. Axford's Abode

The CFIDS Association of America, publisher of the CFIDS Chronicle, the most authoritative CFS/ME journal, with a searchable archive http://www.cfids.org/

Self-help http://www.healthy.net/collinge/cfs.htm

Self-help (online course) http://www.cfidsselfhelp.org/

M.E. Tips (practical hints and tips) http://www.metips.co.uk

Report of the CFS/ME Working to the Chief Medical Officer UK Chief Medical Officer's report

Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/default.asp

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

An M.E. website run by one of our members http://www.sleepydust.net/

Contacts

Telephone: John Chisholm 01525 750078

email: bedsmesg@googlemail.com