Background

The Positive Living Project for young people with ME has been put together by AYME – the Association of Young People with ME.

The project is a direct response to the outcomes of research by Tucker and Tatum report “Speaking Up” 2000. An examination of the experiences of children and young people with ME, which concludes: “Children and young people have important things to say about their experiences of ME. It is vital that a listening climate is created that encourages consultation.”

They have successfully completed workshops in Bristol, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Northampton and Milton Keynes since October 2002.

As part of our on-going working initiatives with AYME, we will be joint hosting 2 of these workshops in the North East –one in July and one in September, venues to be advised.

The workshops brought young people together, many of whom had never met another young person with ME before, boosted self-esteem, self-worth and motivation to make the most out of life despite having a chronic disabling illness. New friendships were formed. New support networks between the young people sprung up and monthly meetings/social get-togethers were arranged for those who attended.

The workshops are aimed at young people with ME aged between 12 – 26 years of age with an ability level of 50% or over.

The favourite part of the workshop for the majority of young people was meeting other young people, socialising and talking about each others problems and how to deal with ME.

“Knowing other people are in the same situation as me that we are learning from the same situations, and that I am not on my own.”

A recurring theme for the young people who attended was not feeling the constant need to explain to other people at the workshops about their condition and why they could not do things.

“It was great being with others and being able to be yourself.”

The two favourite formal parts of the day were the yoga and the confidence boosting sessions, which were rated highly by the participants.

The majority of the young people stated that they would definitely recommend the workshops to other young people with ME. Overall the workshops were viewed as helpful and informative but the main theme that came from the young people was that they really enjoyed meeting other people, especially people in a similar situation to themselves. As one young person stated:

“Sometimes it feels that the mind is willing but the body is not able. You feel alone especially when you’ve been active before but the workshops have people who understand me and I can speak to people who are positive. It gives you a lot to think about.”

The changes in confidence and the establishing of relationships among the young people show that participation in the workshops has made a positive difference in how young people see themselves and how they cope with the medical profession.

In summary, young people benefited most from the workshops by:

· Meeting other people like them, reducing feelings of isolation
· Sharing their stories – coping with ME
· Making new friends
· Creating a local support network

So, if you think that you would like to join us - give me a call on 0191 3892222 or email [email protected] to reserve your place. They will be limited.....so don't delay!