About Us
It is an independent registered charity, run by volunteers, whose aim is to help improve the quality of life for all ME sufferers, their families and carers.
The group actively campaigns for improved services for all sufferers, e.g. NHS and statutory benefits.
Membership
Membership is open to anyone living in Stockport and the surrounding areas who has ME/PVFS/CFS (whether diagnosis has been confirmed or not) or to their family/partner/carer - or anybody else who is sympathetic to the aims of the Group.
There is a small annual subscription, however, free membership is available for anyone who cannot afford to pay.
Membership Benefits
Parents' Group
- for those whose children have the illness. It offers moral support and advice on available (and tried) therapies, home tuition and special examination arrangements.
NHS Services
In August 2004, Stockport Primary Care Trust took over Stockport ME Group's unique National Lottery funded ME Outreach Nurse Service.
Ask your GP to refer you to the CFS/ME Multidisciplinary team for support and advice on self-management and symptomatic control. This multidisciplinary team offers group management courses, individual home and clinic sessions. The team cover the following areas:
• Stockport PCT
Tel: 0161 426 5481
To Join
For information on joining The Stockport ME Group please telephone 0161 432 0390.
As SMEG is run by volunteers, who also have CFS/ME, please make any phone call between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. - Monday to Friday only.
If there is no reply, please leave a recorded message and we will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within the next few days.
The YPG
I am Fiona, and I have taken over from Jennie in compiling the YPG newsletter and arranging the socials. I wish Jennie the best of luck in her job and increase in health! Thank-you for your hard work from 2006 to 2008! Prior to Jennie, Hayley revived the YPG in January 2003. I want to acknowledge and thank Hayley for her previous committee and YPG work. It is because of her, I joined and the YPG has grown.
For anybody thinking of joining the YPG, you will be more than welcome. There are few restrictions, only that everybody is a paid up member of the main Stockport ME group and aged eighteen or above. If you are worried you may be too old, you might be pleasantly surprised to find you are not.
At our monthly socials, we have an upbeat atmosphere, talking about ME and non-ME related matters. The members really look forward to meeting up, finding it a boost to morale.
We mainly meet on a weekday evening in Hazel Grove, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme and Didsbury. However we are always open to new suggestions and some afternoon socials have taken place.
We aim to keep the cost down by enjoying “early bird” offers, where most meals are under £10. Some meals may be subsidised. We aim for good, but quiet locations, avoid late nights and there is no obligation to drink alcohol.
In 2007 our Tapas, Chinese and Indian Meals out, all in Hazel Grove have been popular. Not to mention the Christmas meal, at John Millington, where 14 members attended. The “Secret Santa” gifts certainly went down well!
There have also been trips to play bingo, although nobody has yet won! We have previously watched the greyhound racing, played ten-pin-bowling and had pub visits. There has also been the occasional cinema trip.
Do please take a look at the “forum” and consider joining. There is a YPG section where we can post ideas regarding new venues of socials. There are other benefits of being able to view back issues of the HERMES newsletter and other information only available via the forum, and being a paid up member of the Stockport ME Group.
As always you will receive a newsletter, which is mainly to give plenty of notice for the date/venue of the forthcoming socials. This should aid in your planning and pacing. Either Andrew or Giles will do a phone round so we know who to expect. So thank you both for your commitment.
Do contact me at
if you wish to be added or removed from the YPG database.
Kind regards.
Fiona
Contacts
Here are the e-mail contacts for our group.
Mobility
Walking stick/seat
The extra aid to getting out and about
The sticks provide a steadying aid and support whilst
walking, then they fold out to form a substantial seat to sit on. They are
lightweight yet strong enough to take anyone up to 23 ½ stones.
There are two designs:-
Popular Maxi Seat Height 18 in / 460 mm 22.5 in / 575 mm Walking Height 33 in / 840 mm 33 in / 840 mm Approx weight 27oz / 750gm 29 oz / 810 gm
The popular model can be made shorter with the seat lower
and the maxi can be made longer with the seat remaining at the same height (ie.
just the walking height increased).
These sticks are available to SMEG members at the price of
£23 each. (This is virtually trade price.) Members may have seen similar
products at much the same price or even slightly cheaper, however experience
has proved that these are of inferior quality and neither so sturdy or durable.
Recommendation comes from numerous previous purchasers.
Several say “I would never go anywhere without it”, some are even
internationally travelled. Indeed our own previous chairman took his
sightseeing around Scotland with him recently.
To order please contact Kareen on 0161 427 5532.
The following list of recommended sites for "Gadgets & Gizmos" is taken from "InterAction" Spring 2008 published by Action for M.E. Action for M.E.
Borders Independent Living
Active Mobility
Lakeland
Voice recognition equipment
Mobilty Scooters Plus
Mobility Direct
Ability Net
CFS/ME tips
Cold Hands & Feet?
Muscle and/or Joint Pains?
Keep losing your balance?
Can't stand to do the chores?
Severe Headaches?
Weak Arm and Leg Muscles?
Sudden mood changes?
Dizzy at the toilet?
Breathing Problems?
Sensitive to light?
Sensitive to noise?
Problems with the gut?
Sleep problems?
Memory got lost?
Boredom?
Need more tips?
www.metips.co.uk
www.mechat.co.uk
Helplines
0845 123 2390
The above number is a CFS/ME helpline provided by Action for M.E. and the NHS.
It is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
This CFS/ME helpline is run by trained telephone workers who understand the illness.
The service is free, you pay just for the cost of the call.
The helpline is for people living in Greater Manchester.
Websites:
Action for M.E.
NHS
Links
The following are links to websites that have information regarding CFS/ME
Bury/Bolton ME/CFS Support Group
Association of Young People with ME
Monthly Meetings
Friday 14th November 2008
Annual General Meeting
It’s your chance to hear what your committee has been doing and to ask any questions/make suggestions for the group’s future activities.
We hope as many members as possible will attend.
After the AGM we are having a social gathering with time for a chat, a drink and a pre-Christmas mince pie!
Venue:
The Toby Carvery (formerly the Rudyard Hotel)
For a map of the location click here
Doors Open: 10.30 a.m. Meeting: 11.00 a.m. prompt
Please remember not to wear any perfumes, or aftershave to meetings for the sake of the many of us who are sensitive to these things.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................
Christmas Lunch
At Brookside Garden Centre, Poynton.
We will meet at 12.15 for a 12.30 lunch.
Please book early as this is a popular event and soon gets filled.
Please email
A.S.A.P. to reserve your place.
(Please do not just turn up on the day, hoping to eat, as this is not possible.)
For a map of the location click here
YPG Meetings/Socials
Wednesday 26th November 2008
"YPG Christmas Meal"
John Millington
Meet: 7.30 p.m.
Our Christmas Meal is at the John Millington
You will receive an additional sheet with the YPG newsletter which lists the meal choices. If you require one, please get in touch. The price is not yet available from John Millingtons, but they are not expensive having attended before.
There will be a complementary glass of house wine, or a soft drink with the meal. This meal is subsidised, and I will let you know the price in due course. I thought this was a good date, because this week their Christmas tree will be up; and you cannot have a Christmas meal out, without the Christmas tree on display!
Please let me know if you are going or not by the end of October, then I can provide plenty of notice for those who want to take part in the 'Secret Santa'. It's a surprise gift, where you label the recipient on the gift tag, but not who it's from.
For a map of the location click here Contact:
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Wednesday 3rd December 2008
"Pizza Hut, the Peel Centre Stockport."
Pizza Hut
Meet: 1.30 p.m.
I wanted to have an additional social so you can perhaps combine a spot of Christmas shopping at Argos/Borders etc and have somebody to meet up with afterwards.
This venue is wheelchair friendly. They do a weekday buffet for £5.99 add a side order for £1.50.
For a link to this pizza hut and map click here Contact:
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Thursday 22nd January 2009
"The Phoenix Pub"
14 London Road
Opposite Sainsbury's
Meet: 7.30 p.m.
Please put this date in next year’s diary/calendar. It will be nice to meet up for another drink and catch up again.
For a map of the location click here Contact:
Yoga
SMEG YOGA CLASSES 2008
Yoga classes are suspended until after Easter 2009.
Meditation
SMEG MEDITATION CLASSES 2008
Tutor: Sarah Lionheart
Time: Thursdays - 12.00 to 2.15 p.m.
Venue: Quaker Meeting House
For a map of the location click here
Cost: £2.00 per week for SMEG Members
Classes are suitable for beginners, as well as those with more experience.
Meditation practice is done in short sessions, with a break for lunch in the middle of the class. There is plenty of discussion time and a lot of laughter. The group is very friendly, welcoming and supportive.
Drinks are provided, but please bring your own lunch.
If you would like to know more/join the class please contact:
Outline of a usual meditation class
The length of meditation practice varies between 10 and 20 minutes.
Neuro-physiotherapy
RECRUITING NOW! For JANUARY 2009 - MANCHESTER PCT AREA
TEN WEEK PHYSIOTHERAPY GROUP MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
At the request of Stockport PCT we are running four courses led by Tina Betts, our very experienced CFS/ME neuro-physiotherapist. The first held in Stockport finished in July.
The course run for ten weeks x 1.5 hours with a follow up session after three months.
The aim is to help people with long term CFS/ME to increase their activity levels, improve mobility, posture and stamina by providing expert advice, motivation and encouragement. There will also be the opportunity to develop individual exercise programmes, where appropriate.
The courses are not suitable for people still in the acute stage of CFS/ME or with serious walking difficulties.
Due to Stockport PCT’s funding, the courses are free of charge.
We are now actively recruiting for the course to be held in Manchester in January. It is open to all adults with CFS/ME living in the Manchester PCT area, not just to SMEG members. So if you know of anyone who could be interested do let them know.
For further details/to apply please contact
Disclaimer
Stockport ME Group do not advocate the use of any particular form of healthcare but believe information should be made available. The use of any information is entirely at the user's own risk. Stockport ME Group Management, volunteers and employees are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences.
A GP/Consultant's advice should be obtained before under-taking any treatment. Stockport ME Group are not responsible for the content of any external websites that are linked to or from this website.
Help for people with CFS/ME in and around Stockport
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Young Persons' Group
- for sufferers in their late teens to thirties. Through regular meetings, telephone and e-mail this group offers friendship, information and support.
• Oldham PCT
• Manchester PCT
:)
www.bordersindependentliving.co.uk
Tel: 01432 368202
www.activemobility.co.uk
Tel: 01642 805050
www.lakeland.co.uk
Tel: 01539 488100
Small slow cooker, also useful gadets for opening ring pull cans.
www.nuance.co.uk
or
www.amazon.co.uk
www.mobilityscootersplus.com
Tel: 0800 316 6717
www.mobility-direct.co.uk
Tel: 0800 023 1240
www.abilitynet.org.uk
Tel: 0800 269545
Charity that gives impartial advice on equipment and helps people adapt their technology.
Try thermal socks and gloves, and a woolly hat.
Have a warm bath or shower - with somebody to help. Use a microwave hottie. Try deep relaxation; gentle massage. For neck and shoulders, dry heat, hair dryer, warm wheat bag; high back chair/recliner with shaped neck cushion.
Try a walking stick. Hold on to the furniture.
Sit down. Use a stool. Only iron essentials. Bulk cook and freeze. Invest in a microwave
or dishwasher. Try small rechargeable vacuum cleaner. Get someone else to do it.
Drink more fluids. Consider sensitivity to cigarettes and alcohol, tea, coffee or cola,
and even chocolate.
Use mechanical aids e.g. electric tin opener, hands free telephone. Consider changing
to a car with automatic gear box/power steering, or use a neighbour as a chauffeur.
Eat little and often (2 hourly) - could be low blood sugar.
For men - always sit down.
Could be an allergy - house dust mite, pet's flea powder, certain foods, perfume, paint
and even washing powder.
Wear dark glasses or floppy hat; fit low wattage light bulbs.
Tell the kids to turn it down, or use earplugs. Change to quiet phone tone. Avoid crowds if
you can.
Get help now. Experiment with your diet looking for new sensitivities, especially wheat, dairy
products, yeast or sugar.
Sleep during the day and enjoy the peace and quiet at night. Try a warm milky drink or
camomile tea; unwind in a warm bath.
Don’t be afraid to admit it. Use a big wall calendar or pin board with "post-it" stickers. Make
lots of lists and carry them around. Use your partner’s / family’s memory.
Good sign you are getting better. Get a new low energy hobby, e.g. painting, music,
sewing, photography, pot plants. Surf the Net. Look up old friends. Look forwards, not
backwards. Give yourself a weekly treat.
informative read full of hints for people with M.E.
Helpful hints from people with M.E.
10.00 a.m. - 1.30 p.m.
They can provide you with:
Action for M.E.
www.manchestercfsme.nhs.uk
Wellington Road
Heaton Chapel
Stockport
Friday 12th December 2008
67 Station Road
Cheadle Hulme
SK8 7AA
Tel 0161 486 9226
Garfield St/Great Portwood Street
Stockport
Cheshire
SK1 2ED
Tel 0161 477 7252
Hazel Grove
Stockport.
SK7 4AH
Restart information should be available on this site by March 2009.
Cooper Street/Longshut Lane
Stockport
£5.00 per week for non SMEG Members
Most people sit on chairs, a few may lie down, one or two sit cross-legged on the floor.
This is our first meditation practice.
This is our second meditation practice.
This is our final meditation practice.