Founded over 30 years ago in 1987, Edinburgh M.E. Self-Help Group (edmesh) is a support group for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. We are a membership organisation run by a committee of volunteers and have no paid staff. Most of the committee have M.E./CFS themselves.
We currently have over 150 members. Most of our members live in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas but we have members further afield too. They range in age from teenagers to septuagenarians. Most members have M.E./CFS but we have members who are Carers too.
By becoming a member of edmesh you are helping to support your local M.E./CFS community. Included in your membership is:
- A quarterly newsletter
- Monthly Cafe Meetings
- Annual Open Meeting with Expert Speakers
- Volunteering opportunities
- Discounts on the cost of edmesh social events
- Hardship Fund
You need to submit a membership form with payment. See our membership for full instructions.
We usually run three different kinds of meetings. All our events are open to members and non-members. Our open meetings and cafe meetings are free to attend. There is usually a small charge made for our social events.
Open Meetings
We have two Open Meetings a year. These are meetings with a guest speaker who gives a talk on a topic related to M.E./CFS. The meetings are held in central Edinburgh and transport can normally be arranged to and from the venue if required. There is usually a break in between the talk and a question and answer session, during which refreshments are served.
Find out about upcoming open meetings
Café Meetings
These are informal monthly meetings. They are normally held on the first Wednesday of each month at 2.30pm. Because the number of people attending cafe meetings is fewer compared to our other events, they can be a good introduction to edmesh and provide a better opportunity to chat to others on a one-to-one basis. A number of attendees have made friends this way.
Find out about upcoming café meetings
Social Events
We hold social events throughout the year. Members are entitled to discounted prices for these events. Most take place in the daytime. We hold a summer garden party at Duddingston Kirk, trip to the panto and Christmas lunch. Transport is available to/from outings if pre-arranged, and we have a number of folding stools to allow folk to take the weight off their feet during our events.
You can reach us through our contact page.
We have a Facebook group which is a popular, supportive community and very valuable if getting out to socialise is difficult. You can post messages – you need to have a Facebook account to do this – and reply to other members. Members of the group sometimes post links to articles and websites they have found useful, or something they think others may find interesting or amusing.