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Community and mental health services for Southampton, Portsmouth and parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

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ME/CFS resources

ME/CFS Charities

Action for ME is charitable organisation and self-help group based in the United Kingdom and dedicated to helping people with M.E

Hampshire Friends with M.E. is a friendly support group for people affected by ME/CFS. They have members across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

 

Local Resources

Advice Portsmouth

Advice Portsmouth provides free, independent, impartial and confidential social welfare advice in the fields of debt, welfare benefits, employment, housing, family and consumer law to people living in Portsmouth. 

Positive Minds

Positive Minds supports city residents struggling to cope with difficulties and distress. They can help if you are in despair about anything - such as housing, money, relationships, work, bereavement, leaving the armed forces or living away from home at university - or suffering low mood, anxiety or a feeling of hopelessness.

Adult Social Care

Adult Social Care in Portsmouth helps support elderly and vulnerable residents. The services are available to adults (18+) living in postcodes between PO1 and PO6.

 

Resources for Professionals:

BACME: The British Association for CFS/ME is a multidisciplinary organisation for UK professionals who are involved in the delivery of clinically effective services for patients with ME/CFS.

Movement, Mindfulness and relaxation

Mindfulness exercises for everyday life

From Solent NHS Trust youtube page
Free Mindfulness Free-to-download mindfulness meditation exercises

Key Consideration for movement awareness

A reminder to look after yourself when performing movements using awareness and breath.

3 minute breathing space

A short mindfulness exercise to enable you to check in with your bodies sensations, thoughts and feelings. This exercise is particularly useful when time is short.

10 minute mindfulness exercise

An opportunity to practice mindfulness on a regular basis to improve your technique.

Body Scan

A body awareness exercise for the whole of the body providing an opportunity to consider whatever comes up, using the breath to explore sensations both wanted and unwanted.

Body awareness

This exercise helps you to explore the sensations that arise in your body, helping you to let go.

Leaves on a stream

A visualisation exercise helps you to observe your thoughts with openness, to watch them float by without getting caught up in them.

Expansion exercise

This exercise helps you to accept your feelings and sensations associated with persistent pain. It helps you to observe and make space for your pain experience, and to widen your awareness, connecting with the world around you.

Observer self

An exercise to help you to detach from your thoughts and feelings through taking a step back and observing them, rather than ‘experiencing’ or ‘being’ them.

Notice 3 Things

A simple mindfulness exercise to centre yourself and connect with your environment. Practise it throughout the day, especially any time you find yourself getting caught up in your thoughts and feelings.

ME/CFS Documents:

Goal Setting

Pain and Self-Compassion

Activity Diary

Mindfulness Information

Pacing for Persistent Pain

Dealing with Flare-Ups

Pain Concern Sleep leaflet

Volunteers:

Nic (ME/CFS volunteer)

Covid-19 Information

COVID-19 Health & Wellbeing - https://www.solent.nhs.uk/covid-19-health-and-wellbeing-resources/

FACE COVID - How to respond effectively to the Corona crisis (by Russ Harris) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmvNCdpHUYM  

Help available if you are vulnerable and living in Hampshire - https://www.solent.nhs.uk/covid-19-referrals-for-vulnerable-people/

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Please visit our services page for specific services and contact details. Alternatively, contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing or calling the number below. You can also give us feedback, make a complaint or share a compliment.

pals@solent.nhs.uk

0800 013 2319

*Lines are open Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm.

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was passed on 30 November 2000. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, with full access granted in January 2005.

The Act sets out exemptions to that right and places certain obligations on public authorities.

Email: InformationGovernanceTeam@solent.nhs.uk

Phone: 0300 123 3919

*Subject to any exemptions which apply, we are obliged to provide the information requested please note that requests for Personal Information is not covered under this Act and should be applied for through the Data Protection Act 1998.

Our administrative and managerial centre is based in Southampton.

While our services can be found around various NHS locations in Southampton and Portsmouth (and surrounding districts), our administrative and managerial centre is based in Southampton at:

Highpoint Venue
Bursledon Road
Southampton
SO19 8BR

If you require a printable version of how to find us including bus times, car access and bike info please download our leaflet. (Copyright of Highpoint Venue).

Central office phone: 0300 123 3390

*Lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

If you are a journalist with a media enquiry, please contact the Communications Team at:

communications@solent.nhs.uk

0300 123 4156 or 02381 031076

The Communications Office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.