ME Awareness Week 2026 is 11th-17th May

See what we're doing to make a difference

Seeds of Hope
Our current funded research
ME Connect support line
Healthcare 4 ME
Resources and More
Donate
Campaigning officer out fundraising at a community centre event

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.

Clinical Toolkit with app

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

Learn More
google-play

Changing attitudes and improving lives…

Image of ME Association membership magazine covers

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.

Campaigning officer out fundraising at a community centre event

Get Involved

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

Girl on phone to helpline

Support

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

Image of microscope in a laboratory looking at liquid on slides

Research

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

Healthcare professionals in a planning meeting

Healthcare4ME

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

MEA Literature - selection of leaflets shown

Literature

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

Group of physicians with a doctor at the front holding a clipboard

Medical Matters

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

Image of scientific researchers in a laboratory testing samples with a microscope

Donate

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

The Latest News

More News >>

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

Shopping Basket
Scroll to Top