Have you tried ME Connected – our online Discord community?

ME Connected, our online community, now has over 700 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.

ME Connect

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

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-6pm
Thursday: late night until 9pm
Saturday: 10am-12noon

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

Social Media ME Connect

NOTE: Temporarily suspended

We are so sorry but due to staffing issues we have to temporarily close Social Media direct messaging. This is an unavoidable, temporary situation and direct messaging will be back up and running as soon as possible. If you have recently contacted us this way, please do get in touch again by email or the MEC phone line:

People phoning up to receive emotional support service

ME Connections

Someone to talk to

NOTE: Referrals are currently on hold due to high demand

Living with ME and feeling isolated or overwhelmed?
ME Connections offers a weekly call from the same volunteer for 6 weeks – giving you emotional support, understanding, and someone who truly listens.
Ask for a referral through the usual ME Connect number.

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

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.

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

Volunteers Needed for ME Connect Support Line

If you have empathy, compassion and understanding for those living with ME; excellent communication skills and some time to spare, we would love to hear from you. Volunteers need good IT skills and full training will be provided. You will be part of a wonderful team who are passionate and committed to providing an exceptional service. Please do contact Katharine Leat, ME Connect Manager via katharine.leat@meassociation.org.uk to discuss this opportunity and ask any questions you may have.

Apply

HERE TO LISTEN

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

VITAL SUPPORT

We are here to help you reach an informed decision

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 paired 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

Have you tried ME Connected – our online Discord community?

ME Connect

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

Support Line (Freephone):0808 801 0484

Time to Talk

Rev. Neil Barrett (Chaplaincy)

Social Media ME Connect

ME Connections

Someone to talk to

When you contact ME Connect…

We will:

We cannot:

We are members of Helplines Partnership

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

Volunteers Needed for ME Connect Support Line

HERE TO LISTEN

VITAL SUPPORT

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

ME Connect Resources

Quick Links

Mental Health Support Signposting

Support Line (Freephone):
0808 801 0484

Rev. Neil Barrett
(Chaplaincy)

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).

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.