Have you tried ME Connected – our online Discord community?

ME Connected - Discord platform logo

ME Connected, our online community, now has over 1300 members and is a warm space to make connections! We have over 50 channels to get involved with, so you can discuss your symptoms, seek emotional support, but also engage in fun topics, such as posting pictures of your beloved pets or craft projects. 

Go to ME Connected on Discord
See our How To Guide
How to Raise a Ticket
Quotation mark

“ I am grateful that I found this Discord. No matter what mood, problem, issue, state that I arrive in – someone is always there to encourage, support, empathise, advise, laugh, validate. I want to thank you. I only wish I had found it sooner!” – User feedback

ME Connect

We understand ME/CFS/LC/PVFS. If you need help or want to talk, we’re here.

ME Connect service banner with logo and image of girl looking up information on a tablet. Title "ME Connect, Here for You"

When you call you will speak directly with someone who will support you, with care and in confidence. We provide information, signposting and support. We do not judge, offer opinions or tell you what to do. We’re here for you.

Notice: We understand that living with illness can cause feelings of frustration and desperation, even anger. We are here to support you however you are feeling but our staff and volunteers should not be subjected to aggression or abuse. We reserve the right to end the call if this takes place.

Support Line (Freephone):
0808 801 0484

Monday – Friday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: late night until 9pm
Saturday: 10am-12noon

Helplines Partnership Logo

We are members of Helplines Partnership

The partnership is committed to supporting organisations that provide non-face-to-face advice, support and information to improve general wellbeing and has being doing so for over 20 years.

They champion the interests of their members and help them to build sustainability and deliver the best service they can for their users.

Rev Neil Barrett

Time to Talk

Rev. Neil Barrett (Chaplaincy)

ME Connect is delighted to offer additional support through ‘Time to Talk’ with the Rev. Neil Barrett who is generously volunteering his time. This offer is open to all.

If you would like a 30 minute Zoom call with Neil, please email katharine.leat@meassociation.org.uk and we will get back to you to arrange an appointment.

‘ME/CFS & Long COVID can be isolating conditions with a wide range of emotions attached to them. Often the people around sufferers find it difficult to understand and those suffering can find it difficult to express how they are feeling. Both can often lead to more frustration and anxiety. And many people feel abandoned by society physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Therefore, I am offering the opportunity of a conversation online, where you can just be. Where you can share how you are feeling with no judgement or pressure to feel anything other than what you feel in that moment or to be anyone other than who you are. A space just for you, where you are valued and understood.’

Rev. Neil Barrett

Volunteers for ME Connect

Please note ME Connect support line currently has a waiting list for volunteers – we want to thank everybody who has so kindly expressed their interest in joining the wonderful team who are passionate and committed to providing an exceptional service.

We will advertise on this page when we need more volunteers.

Please do contact Katharine Leat, ME Connect Manager via katharine.leat@meassociation.org.uk with any questions you may have.

When you contact ME Connect…

We will:

  • Believe you without judgement
  • Give you emotional support
  • Provide information leaflets written by experts
  • Signpost to relevant organisations
  • Help you reach informed decisions

We cannot:

  • Give you medical advice
  • Diagnose you
  • Provide mental health care or counselling
  • Provide advocacy or casework
  • Make decisions for you
    or tell you what to do

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

ME Connect

HERE TO LISTEN

We are here to listen, validate and empathise with any issues you might be facing

ME Connect

VITAL SUPPORT

We are here to help you reach an informed decision

ME Connect

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

We provide a safe, confidential, and
understanding environment where you can be heard and understood.

ME Connect Resources

Quick Links

This is a resources list containing MEA free literature and signposting to external organisations which may be able to provide suitable support. It contains a pared down list of the signposting used by our ME Connect service.

ME Connect Resources Quick Links – Download PDF

Mental Health Support Signposting

We understand that some individuals with ME will be living with mental health conditions and that debilitating effects of ME can have an adverse effect on mental health too. This resource is our dedicated mental health signposting list.  

Mental Health Support Signposting – Download PDF

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