According to most ME advocacy groups and organisations, the public awareness about ME has increased dramatically over the last years. However, they also emphasise that there is still a lot of work left to do when it comes to raising public awareness about ME. And help is always welcome. So if you would like to help increase the awareness about ME in the UK, here is how you can get involved.
Join an ME awareness raising campaign/project. Simply contact the organiser and tell them that you are eager to help. They may already have everything covered but if they don’t, you may be the key to the success of their campaign/project!
Join an ME advocacy group. You don’t have to suffer from ME to join an ME group or organisation. There are several operating in the UK, both at local and national levels, and they are open to all who are willing to help, especially in organisation of awareness raising campaigns and initiatives.
Volunteer. In order to help raise the public awareness about ME, you don’t have to be a member of an advocacy group. Simply contact an organisation (or multiple ones) and tell them that you would like to help. They will get back to you very soon with a whole range of options on how you can contribute.
Donate. If you go to work and have children to raise, finding time to get personally involved in ME awareness raising efforts can be extremely difficult. This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean there is nothing you can do to help. On the contrary, there are plenty of ways to make a big difference and one of them is financially supporting a campaign, project or advocacy group. And remember, it doesn’t matter how much you donate. Every penny is highly appreciated!
Spread the word. This is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to increase Brits’ awareness about ME. Talk about the illness with your friends, colleagues, co-workers, neighbours, etc. whenever you have the chance and urge them to spread the word. If everyone would spread the information about ME to at least 5 people they know and they another 5 people, whole Britain would know all about the condition in a very short period of time.