Contact: Mike Houghton, telephone 01244 378276 or e-mail Mike@chestermesh.org.uk

Chester MESH is a Chester, England based self-help group for those people suffering with CFS/ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) who wish to be pro-active in their own recovery programme.

It is run by local people who either have ME or are carers of people with ME. We have no medical qualifications but over the years have acquired a fund of experiences that we share with others. The aim of the group is not to tell people what treatments to try but rather to share our collective experiences.

We hold regular monthly meetings in Chester that are open to anybody with an interest in the subject. If you wish to join us then there is a simple form to complete. This then allows you access to our library of books, audio tapes and video tapes together with our regular newsletter. There is no charge for joining Chester MESH, we only charge admission to our meetings and some members who cannot attend meetings have donated stamps to help with posting them newsletters. This is a local group and normally only accept members from Cheshire, Merseyside or North Wales.

Our monthly meetings have speakers drawn from various disciplines who are able to present what they feel can help people with ME. Some members have tried treatments or therapies with varied results and these results are fed back to the group. If sufficient interest in an approach is demonstrated then seminars or even a course of training is then arranged. We have even arranged clinics in Chester for specialist doctors, drawn from different parts of the country, to see Chester MESH members.

Perhaps, equally important is the emotional and psychological support of sharing these experiences which helps engender a positive attitude.

Whilst all statements are given in good faith they are for information only. Any mention of treatments or products does not imply that they have been tested or endorsed by Chester MESH