Hi All,
Well we had our meeting as usual at Mayfield Garden Centre coffee shop (see above for details and times) 
It was a slightly different meet as it was ME Awareness Day (12th May) so we had the idea to do a fundraiser too. So collection boxes and leaflets at the ready we, along with two other support group members and my husband, took turns rattlling our tins at Mayfield Garden Centre and also in the afternoon at Somerfield supermarket, both in Kelso.
We raised £136.86 and are very grateful to all the people who donated and all the friendly staff at both locations. Also massive thanks to the two members that helped, we know it's not easy standing for long periods, it really was appreciated.
We also had a new member turn up to the coffee shop and we all had a nice chat, a few laughs and a few serious moments for which I hope we helped one another.
Next meet is at Galashiels on the 25th May. 2pm Asda. **************************************************** The ME Support Group was recently mentioned in the local Newspapers. See Here: http://www.berwickshire-news.co.uk/news/New-support-group-for-Borders.5239331.jp **************************************************** M.E. Support Group There are now monthly Support Group meetings in Kelso and in Galashiels. Mayfield Garden Centre, Glebe Lane, Kelso. [Within Coffee Shop] The Garden Centre has ample free Parking, Disabled Access/facilities.
The second Tuesday of each month at 11am
10th March : 11am 14th April : 11am 12th May : 11am 9th June :11am 14h July : 11am 11th August : 11am 8th September : 11am 13th October : 11am 10th November : 11am 8th December : 11am Galashiels Asda [Coffee Shop] Upstairs but there are lifts and ample free parking and facilities. The fourth Monday of each month at 2pm 23rd March : 2pm 27th April : 2pm 25th May : 2pm 22nd June : 2pm 27th July : 2pm 24th August : 2pm 28th September : 2pm 26th October : 2pm 23rd November :2pm December date not decided yet :) If you wish further information about future get-togethers please contact: All are welcome....don't be shy...we are very friendly.x
Our first few meets all went well and several folks turned up to have a cuppa and a natter. Individuals were able to talk to each other, discuss issues and concerns, take away leaflets and borrow books from our own small library selection. We understand it can be hard to walk into a room of new people. One of our current members would be happy to meet you informally beforehand for a cup of tea and explain how the group runs. Please contact us before the dates of any get-together to arrange this.
Thank you.
******** There is now a monthly M.E. Support Group meeting in Kelso and Galashiels
Kelso [The Second Tuesday of each Month at 11.00 AM.] Kelso : at
Mayfield Garden Centre, Glebe Lane, Kelso. [Within Coffee Shop]
10th February 10th March 14th April 12th May 9th June 14h July 11th August 8th September 13th October 10th November 8th December Galashiels: atAsda Coffee Shop 23rd February (Monday) 2pm There is ample free Parking, Disabled Access/facilities.
All are welcome and we look forward to meeting you. If you wish further information about future get-togethers please contact ********************** February 10th 2009 [3rd Support Group]
With Miranda and Carole,
Thank you to all that attended the February Support Group at Mayfield Garden Centre. It was lovely to see those from earlier meetings, and a big welcome to those that came for the first time. Hopefully it was enjoyable, of help, and a social event away from the norm. Again the Coffee Shop allowed us to consume our own baking ! .... another wheat free creation, while those that joined the Garden Centre Member scheme were able to get their 'free' teas and coffees, via the monthly vouchers [A scheme well worth joining and helps support group attendees to minimise costs, whilst assisting the Coffee Shop business. see details of how to join here] Regards: Miranda. ME Support Group
January 13th 2009 :
[ ..... With Miranda]
We had our second Support Group at Kelso, [... the first one for 2009!]
Happy New Year to those that attended the second meeting, and welcome to those that attended for their first time.
Those that came will hopefully be helped with their ME and Fibromyalgia respectively [..... Fibromyalgia has many symptoms similar to ME and can be experienced as an associated condition.]
Individuals were able to chat to each other, discuss issues and concerns, take our leaflets, get information about MERG and borrow books from our own small Library Selection.
And the opportunity of having another venue, more central to the Borders was detailed by Miranda.
So as of next month, we will hopefully have another Group for Galashiels ! - Details to follow.
With these two Venues and Dates each month, ME sufferers will not have to travel too far to find a group near them. [Please see local press and our website for future meeting details. You are welcome at either group, or both if you so choose!]
Hopefully, those that have attended Kelso but lived quite a distance away, will be delighted to have Galashiels as an alternative. Especially for those reliant on Public Transport.
We missed having Carole present at this meeting, she had to give her apologies, as she had to attend a Funeral of a close friend, [ a member of the ME Recovery Group Forum .... who had many health issues, one being that of ME.] He will be truely missed.
And my thoughts go out to Carole, we look forward to seeing you again at the next months meeting, in February.
***************** next meet, in January on the 13th (11am again) Mayfield Garden Centre Coffee Shop
Glebe Lane
Kelso ******** 9th December 2008 Well we have just spent a very peasant two hours at our very first Support Group meeting. 5 other people turned up after having seen our adverts in local papers etc. It was a very relaxed get-together and I think we all had a nice natter, a cuppa, along with Miranda's delicious home-made wheat-free/dairy free/sugar free Christmas cake (magic), thank you Miranda. (We got permission off the coffee shop to be able to dish this out, due to some people being unable to eat certain ingredients, Mayfield Garden Centre coffee shop staff could not have been any more accomadating, friendly and helpful than they were today. A warm thank you has been expressed to them through myself. More adverts shall be posted for the next meet, in January on the 13th (11am again) and we hope to have an even bigger turn out. Although to be honest, Miranda and I were really pleased that we weren't sat there alone today. A very good start and we look forward to it growing to become a helpful service for folks with M.E. in the Borders. Thank You. Updated 1st December 2008 As part of the M.E. Recovery Group charity based in Kelso, we are arranging a Support Group for M.E. Sufferers across the Borders at: Mayfield Garden Centre
Glebe Lane
Kelso
on:
Tuesday 9th December at 11am.
This is an informal event to be held in the coffee shop in the Mayfield Garden Centre. All are welcome and we look forward to meeting you. The facilities in the garden centre are disabled friendly and all on one level. If anyone is unable to attend on that date/time or if you wish further information about future get-togethers please contact Carole Carrick on 01890 870341. www.merg.me.uk The original idea of meetings at the BGH Chaplaincy Centre have been put on hold. Thank you. **************** Update 29th July 2008:
A Support Group is due to be organised to meet once per month at the Borders General Hospital Chaplaincy Centre.
Dates and times are still to be organised and will be advertised in local newspapers, leafleted in community centres and GP surgeries etc across the Borders. And of course we will update this site to inform you of the arrangements being made to have these meetings.
Please let us know what days of the week and times of day are best for you so we can formulate a good average time for these meetings to take place. Please also contact us with any interest you have in these meetings. We will be holding the Support Group initially on at hree month trial basis to determine if folk are interested in attending monthly. We would be very grateful for your involvement and feedback also.
Contact us here
The Support Group was chosen to be held at the Chaplaincy Centre because it is in a central location in the Borders and it has excellent facilities. The centre can be accessed from an external door with no need to enter the main hospital. It is easily located on the right of the main hospital
********* Update 19th June 2008
We are still trying to work out a Support Group and also a Contact Group may be happening in the very near future.
******** 25/May 2008
Stress plays a very big role in ME. It is a hidden and therefore, underrated factor.
The M.E. Recovery Group is working with a lady, who wishes to form and run a Support Group. This could provide palliative aid to both our members and also other ME sufferers in the Borders.
It is early stages yet — but we are hopeful of a satisfactory outcome, allowing M.E. sufferers to have a means to sharing their experiences and receiving advice/support in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. We will keep you updated as to if and when a support group will start.
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