Our forums and peer-support

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Get connected

Get connected

Our friendly forums offer peer-support and friendship, and many users tell us they feel less isolated. Our 2019 Big Survey found that 88% of men, 93% of women and 97% of young people told us they felt isolated because of M.E.

M.E. Friends Online is open to anyone aged 18 or over affected by M.E., including carers.

If you're aged up to 19, you can join our young person's community for free, and make friends in our Young People's Forum. One user told us:

“There are so many great things about the forum, but the best thing for me is how it helps to keep away the feeling of isolation from the rest of the world. The fact that I can communicate with other people on here – who actually understand M.E. – really helps me feel less lonely.”

You can get connected:

We also previously a peer mentoring project for people living with or caring for people with M.E. in Scotland from 2016 to 2021, resulting in a detailed guide for any groups or individuals interested in setting up a similar scheme.


Local M.E. support groups

Local M.E. support groups can be an invaluable source of information, advice, strength and support. They are run by volunteers, most of whom have M.E. themselves. Some groups welcome anyone affected by M.E., including carers; others also cater for people with fibromyalgia as well as M.E.

The services offered by your local group may include:

  • regular meetings and social events
  • information and advice on welfare benefits and healthcare
  • telephone and email support
  • a befriending service
  • newsletters and other publications.

Getting in touch with them means the chance to speak to someone nearby who understands what you're going through.

While some groups have been unable to maintain contact during the pandemic, many have moved online. To find your local group, please get in touch.