As we extend our reach across the globe, we are pleased to have one of the foremost ME organisation in Northern Ireland joining us. Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland have an impressive track record in their country over the past decade, and we look forward to seeing how our collaboration can create opportunity for both our organisations.

This registered charity started out as a support group, but has grown immensely over the years; achieving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2020. They have been particularly driven in their aim of raising awareness among politicians and improving healthcare professional education. By holding ME and Fibromyalgia conferences in the Northern Irish parliament buildings, Stormont, and bringing in eminent researchers, campaigners, and medical professionals from across the world to speak about their work, the Charity have been able to demonstrate both the impact of the disease, and ways in which we can and should be supporting people with ME.

On the healthcare professional education front, Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI have created a series of five educational webinars on ME, targeted at healthcare professionals. This series of webinars aimed to explore the radical changes taking place within the new proposed National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Guideline (NICE) for ME/CFS, and the important implications arising from the developing ‘Long Covid’ crisis. The webinar series brought together global experts in the field of ME/CFS, to share their knowledge and experience. These are now hosted directly on the official Health & Social Care Northern Ireland Clinical Education Network website, and in the first two months from release, have been viewed over 900 times. Watch the webinars yourself here.

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation has continued to provide support for members through online events, conferences and social gatherings, craft sessions and other activities. Prior to this they organised in person meet ups, and aim to begin providing this again when safe to do so.

You can find Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland on facebook, twitter, or check out their website.

We are looking for more national ME organisation to join the World ME Alliance – find out more here.