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Bequest A gift of any size in your Will, can increase quality of life for many people affected by ME/CFS and Long Covid. MECFS Canterbury recommends talking to a solicitor to write or update your Will. They will require our registered charity number to ensure your gift goes to the right place. Before getting in touch with them, you could start thinking about how you would like to give. You may want to consider giving a: Residual gift After providing for your family and loved ones, you can gift the remainder of your estate, or part of it, to MECFS Canterbury. Percentage You could divide your estate between a number of people and charitable organisations by allocating a percentage to each one. Specific gift This could be a specific sum, jewellery, real estate, shares or anything else you possess. You will also need this information: Our registered address is MECFS Canterbury, PO Box 10090, Phillipstown, Christchurch 8145. Our registered charity number is CC57086. If you would like any further information, or if you would like to talk to our Manager in confidence, please call 020 4091 9153, or email info@mecfscanterbury.nz . Please let us know of your intentions It would be very helpful for us if you let us know your intentions. Leaving a gift to us means a lot and we would like to be able to thank you for this. CONTACT US On behalf of our ME/CFS community, thank you for your consideration.

How We Help We are focused on providing services, resources and connections to improve the lives of people affected by ME/CFS and Long Covid throughout the Canterbury and West Coast regions. Our core team of six part time employees and several volunteers bring passion to this work, but unfortunately our capacity does not fully match the needs of our community, and there are waitlists and other limitations for some of our services. We apologise for this and assure you that we are exploring opportunities to increase the funding for our services. We invite you to explore the services that are available from us below. Registered Nurse Service Our Registered Nurse Service is delivered through home visits, zoom consultations, and other interactions to people of all ages. Our nurses help members with assessment for diagnosis, management of symptoms, advocacy, and more. READ MORE Group Meetings and Events We host a range of different events around our region, both online and in-person. Sometimes we invite expert speakers, other times we may have a topic for discussion. Non-m embers and whanau are also welcome to attend. READ MORE Online Community We invite people affected by ME/CFS or Long COVID throughout the South Island to join our peer support group on Facebook to share information and experiences and to support each other. You don't need to be a registered member with us to join this group. READ MORE Volunteer Outreach Services We have a growing team of wonderful volunteers who help our members with tasks such as housework, dog-walking, gardening, friendly company, and technical support. READ MORE Work and Income Advocacy Our advocates support our members to explore what financial support may be available from Work and Income. READ MORE Newsletters We release bimonthly newsletters containing updates on the activities of the organisation, information about managing and living with ME/CFS, latest research, plus more. READ MORE Library Our library of books and equipment is available to members free of charge. The catalogue can be browsed online and we can post books out to you and arrange for their return to us. READ MORE Intervention Fund We operate a small Intervention Support Fund to cover semi-urgent costs that members are unable to manage. READ MORE Advocacy We are involved with advocacy at an organisational level, both regionally and nationally. READ MORE

Support the business activities of our chronically ill community We are delighted to showcase some of the businesses and other activities of our chronically ill community. When someone lives with a chronic illness like ME/CFS, a home-based business might be the best option, as it is likely to enable the flexibility to rest when it is needed and to schedule activity carefully. Our community would welcome your support! Click on the images below to view their website or other social media. If you are a member of MECFS Canterbury and have something you would like to promote (e.g. an exhibition, a book, home based business or hobby) please email us. We would love to hear about it and consider it for promoting here. DISCLAIMER: We have no formal relationship with the business activities listed on this website page. Links to these activities are included for convenience. ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast is not responsible for the currency or accuracy of content on such websites and the inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement by MECFS Canterbury of the linked website or its provider, products and services offered. Readers are advised to take their own appropriate due diligence steps prior to engaging with the businesses and individuals listed. @fmm.stones Hand painted stones Fiona paints stones with beautiful designs and colours, and then seals them. There is also a range of gorgeous ladybugs. Great for small gifts, to put in fairy gardens, Christmas stockings, pot plants, etc. Or to leave in a public park for others to find. Katie Cowan Personal development coaching Katie works with people on the things they are struggling with or hoping for, with a particular focus on those seeking post-traumatic flourishing (including after/amidst chronic illness), people at a crossroads or new chapter, and people wanting to play bigger in their lives. Allyssia's Designs Hospital and travel kits & supplies Allyssia creates hospital, emergency and travel kits just for you or whānau. She has a range of premade kits but you can also select exactly what items you need and select the pouch or toiletry bag you want. Saskia Grace Life coaching Saskia offers a safe space, guidance and practical strategies to help you gain clarity and achieve your goals. For people with ME/CFS, she understands the challenges that brings. She also offers you a discounted rate and payment plans. Resolve Consultancy Chronic illness and work Liz is passionate about helping people with chronic fatigue-related health conditions to find accommodations and approaches that enable them to continue working. She also writes for clients on various health-related topics, and is an informed speaker.

Donate We rely on grants and donations to fund our services because we do not currently receive any funding from the government's Health budget. Every dollar donated helps us to employ a skeleton part-time team and cover our operational costs. A one-off or regular donation helps us cover these example costs: $5 Posting our newsletter to a client who finds it easier to read a paper copy. $17 Monthly phone plan for one of our staff to call their clients. $20 Reimbursing staff for travel costs to visit one of their clients. $40 Purchasing a new book for our library. $60 Supporting a client to access benefits and other payments from Work and Income. $100 Venue hire and refreshments for one of our group meetings around the region. $250 Initial visit to a client by one of our Nurses, to explore diagnosis and symptom management, and to complete follow up referrals and a management plan. $400 Delivering an education session for health professionals or another organisation. $500 Supporting a student to remain at the Southern Health School for a year. $1800 Rent and utilities for our office for a month. Ways to Donate Internet Banking Donate directly to our bank account Westpac 03-0802-0060232-000 Our legal name is 'ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast Charitable Trust' Please use our Donation form to let us know you have done so. This enables us to send you a donation tax receipt and to say thanks! DONATION FORM Debit or Credit Card We can also accept payment by Debit or Credit Card, and Google Pay. Use our Donation Form to access these payment options using our Stripe online payment facility. DONATION FORM Givealittle The Givealittle website enables donations to be made by credit card, internet banking, or Givealittle wallet. You choose the amount and the frequency (one-off, monthly, fortnightly, or weekly). You can also select whether your name or ‘guest donor’ appears against the donation. GIVEALITTLE WEBSITE Payroll Giving If you are wanting to make a regular donation, however small, the Payroll Giving facility is available to employees to make a donation through your employer’s payroll system. Donations made via Payroll Giving receive an immediate PAYE credit of 33% of the donation amount. This avoids the need for charities to generate Donation Tax Receipts and for the donor to collect and submit Donation Tax Receipts to the Inland Revenue Department. Talk to your employer to enter this scheme, or visit to https://www.ird.govt.nz/roles/employees/payroll-giving-as-an-employee find out more. You will need these details: Organisation Name with IRD is ‘ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast Charitable Trust’ Charity registration number is CC32072. We have a bank account with Westpac 03-0802-0060232-000 Your employer will pass the donation to us, and let us know it is from Payroll Giving. Please let us know if you set Payroll Giving up, as we would appreciate the opportunity to say thanks. CONTACT US Donate Items We welcome donations of items for our use or for our book and equipment library, and also welcome items for resale on our Trade Me account. ENQUIRE ABOUT DONATING ITEMS

Buy from us Crash Wear We're so excited to launch our official ME/CFS Canterbury merch range! Crash Wear is a collection designed with the ME/CFS community at heart - whether you live with it, care for someone who does, or advocate for awareness. From soft, sensory-friendly loungewear to bold minimalist accessories, every piece makes a quiet but powerful statement. Whether you're pacing in a hoodie, resting with a cup of tea, or advocating from bed with a statement pillowcase, each item helps support our local work for people with ME/CFS and Long Covid right here in Canterbury and the West Coast. We receive a small amount from every sale, and 100% of that goes directly to our advocacy, support, and awareness efforts. So, when you buy something, you're helping to make a real difference. Crash Wear Made to be lived in, rested in, and seen in. Wear your story. Support your community. VISIT OUR CRASH WEAR STORE Trade Me store We sell a range of donated and fundraiser items on TradeMe, thanks to donors and volunteers. You may find something of use to you? VIEW OUR TRADEME LISTINGS ME/CFS Awareness Pins Wearing an enamel pin can be a great way to start a conversation about ME/CFS, to talk about the work of our charity, or to share some of your journey with the illness. We have three styles available to be worn at any time, but particularly around World ME Day on 12th May each year. Order from our office. Cost is $5 per pin and to post out to you. Our bank account is with Westpac 03-0802-0060232-000. Our legal name is 'ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast Charitable Trust'. Blue Ribbon awareness Pin Forget Me Not single flower Pin Forget Me Not flower cluster Pin

Our Organisation MECFS Canterbury was originally established in 1985 as a society under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. The society's goals were to support and assist people with ME/CFS in the management of this debilitating illness and with the aim of improving their quality of life. In 2024, our organisation moved to a Charitable Trust model. The society, M.E. /CFS Group (Canterbury) Inc, was wound up and all services, staff and assets were transferred to ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast Charitable Trust. We continue to be registered as a charity under number CC32072. We currently trade under the names MECFS Canterbury and ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast. We have grown over the years to become a professional community health and clinical service organisation, providing a range of services and supports for our community. Visit the How we help page to find out more. We serve people in the Canterbury - Waitaha and West Coast - Te Tai Poutini regions in the South Island - Te Waipounamu of Aotearoa New Zealand. These regions include thirteen District Councils. We also support students at the Southern Regional Health School, who may live in any region of the South Island. Our Strategic Plan For 2023-2028 Determine the cooperation opportunities and geographic range of our organisation Enhance the strength of our governance and organisational framework Reach, support and retain more clients and members Support our supporters: health professionals, funders, volunteers, and others Presentations to our AGMs Our Annual General Meetings are held in November of each year. These meetings provide us with an opportunity to share an overview of our service delivery and finances for the year, and to look towards the year ahead. We invite you to watch the videos of our presentation slides from past AGMs. Annual Performance Statements Our audited Financial and Service Statements provide a detailed view of our finances, outputs and activities. If this is your thing, here they are. 2023 STATEMENTS - Not yet audited 2022 STATEMENTS 2021 STATEMENTS

A list of discounts on products and services offered by businesses to our ME/CFS community Discounts offered on Products and Services We are grateful to the businesses below who have kindly offered discounts on their products and services for our ME/CFS community. When we live with a debilitating chronic illness, we often have very limited income, and it is really helpful to have access to discounted products and services. Discounts on this list were correct when added. Please do let us know if you discover the discount or service is no longer valid or details have changed, so that we can update this list. DISCLAIMER: We have no formal relationship with the business activities listed on this website page. Links to these activities are included for convenience. ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast is not responsible for the currency or accuracy of content on such websites and the inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement by MECFS Canterbury of the linked website or its provider, products and services offered. Readers are advised to take their own appropriate due diligence steps prior to engaging with the businesses and individuals listed. Clean Meals Ready-Made Meals https://cleanmeals.co.nz/ Eating clean doesn't need to be bland. Freshly made meals, breakfasts, and snacks. Meals are chilled not frozen. See our Easy Meals list for more details about this supplier. Discount Details Use code MECFS25C for 10% off your order. EATL8R Ready-Made Meals http://www.eatl8r.co.nz Nutritious meals delivered to you. The Eatl8r menu changes weekly and with the seasons. Meals (regular or petite sized), soups, desserts. Ingredient lists available. Pickup in Waltham or delivered to greater Christchurch See our Easy Meals list for more details about this supplier. Discount Details Use code MECFS10 for 10% off your order. Kai 2 You Ready-Made Meals https://www.kai2you.co.nz Freshly made & delivered. No subscriptions. Value for money. New menu every week. Meals (regular or petite sized), soups, scones, desserts. Ingredient lists available. Pickup in Papanui or delivered to greater Christchurch See our Easy Meals list for more details about this supplier. Discount Details Use code MECF10 for 10% off. Supergold card holders get 14% off with code super14. Meal Prep Ready-Made Meals https://mealprep.nz High-protein meals - no prep, no stress, Care packages and gift vouchers. Freshly made breakfast, lunch and dinners, Dairy free, vegan, and vegetarian options are available. No preservatives. Delivered two days after order from Papamoa. See our Easy Meals list for more details about this supplier. Discount Details Use code MECFS10 for 10% off first order of 3 different meals above $50. Not available on subscriptions or meal plans. My Kitchen Table Ready-Made Meals https://mykitchentable.nz Chef quality meals proudly made fresh and frozen in Nelson. Freshly made frozen meals (single or double serve), soups and Meal boxes. Gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian options. Delivered from Nelson. See our Easy Meals list for more details about this supplier. Discount Details Use code MECFS15 for 15% off. Not available on specials.

Over time, you will discover ways that work for you to save your energy and help to make your everyday activities more manageable. It can be really useful to hear from others what they to do make things simpler and to reduce symptom flares. Lifehacks and Tips Over time, you will discover ways that work for you to save your energy and help to make your everyday activities more manageable. It can be really useful to hear from others what they to do make things simpler and to reduce symptom flares. Anna-Maria's Lifehacks Anna-Maria Covich has collated a range of life hacks learnt from managing (and often failing to manage) her ME/CFS over many years. We invite you to watch the recording of her presentation on her tips and tricks and why she finds them helpful. Whether you are newly diagnosed with ME/CFS or have some experience living with ME/CFS, you are likely to find some new ideas for saving energy and managing symptoms from this session. View the presentation on YouTube or review the pdf of the slide deck . We also have printed booklets of the slide deck - feel free to order a copy from our library. To discuss this topic further, come along to one of our meetings or connect with others online. Other Resources Library of articles on www.cfsselfhelp.org/library from the ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Self-Help Program, a non-profit organisation founded by Bruce Campbell, PhD, a recovered CFS patient. The ME/CFS Crash Survival Guide from Bateman Horne Centre, USA. Advice from ME Association UK, who are strongly evidence-based. They provide general guidance and leaflets covering a wide range of topics meassociation.org.uk/free-literature-downloads/ Visit our Links page for more information.

Contact Form: First Name Last Name Email Phone Topics Tell us what you need help with SEND Thanks for query. We’ll get back to you shortly. Our Contact Details: For any enquiries, please contact us via the form above, or by email, text, or phone. Email: info@mecfscanterbury.nz Text: 020 4027 0176 Phone: 03 365 5887 Postal address: PO Box 10090, Phillipstown, Christchurch 8145 Our Office: Please ring to make a time to visit. The office is not always open as we are a part-time team, and often have appointments outside the office. Our office is located at: 71 Orbell St, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023 There is onsite carparking. Use park #7 or #8, or one of the visitor carparks. Christchurch Venue: Our monthly Christchurch in-person meetings are held at the lovely Mary Potter Community Centre. Address: 442 Durham St North, St Albans, Christchurch 8014 This venue is just north of Bealey Avenue and has 30 onsite carparks. It also has comfortable lounge chairs and padded seats, and a beautiful garden. To get familiar with the centre before you arrive, you may like to watch the centre’s walkthrough video. Rangiora Venue: Our Rangiora in-person meetings are currently held at The Skurr Centre. Address: 156 Ashley Street, Rangiora Showgrounds, Rangiora This venue has onsite carparks. Our Meeting Venues: Other Venues: We use other venues from time to time. Please check the event listing to confirm venue location. Join us: To receive support and /or information about ME/CFS from us on a regular basis, please sign up as a member (it is free). Please complete our membership form, either: Join online or Print PDF and post

There are a range of practical supports that may make a difference for you when living with a chronic illness like Look for ways to save energy or to get support with your activities of daily living. Practical Supports There are a range of practical supports that may make a difference for you when living with a chronic illness. Look for ways to save energy or to get support with your activities of daily living. We hope to grow this list over time. Please let us know if you have any suggestions of what could be included in this section. Energy Saving Devices When living with an energy limiting illness, using devices and aids that make everyday tasks easier can make a real difference. Think about the tasks that you can't do without getting sicker, or that you avoid doing, and check out if there is equipment or an aid to make this easier. Some examples of devices and aids that people tell us have made a difference: Dishwasher Robot vacuum cleaner Electric toothbrush Slow cooker Sensory aids such as earplugs, tinted glasses. Find manpower! e.g. someone to mow your lawn or do basic housework once a month. Mobility and Home Aids It is worth considering using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, canes, walkers, shower stools, to help conserve your energy. This is particularly the case if you experience orthostatic intolerance (symptoms when moving to an upright or standing position). Talk to your GP about being referred for an assessment with an Occupational Therapist, or purchase your own. We also have some equipment available to borrow. Mobility Parking Permit People with ME/CFS are often unable to walk much distance or are bed-ridden after an outing. Consider applying for a Mobility Parking Permit so that you can park in the mobility parking spaces outside shops, parks and other locations. It means you don’t have to walk so far during outings and will have more energy for the shopping or whatever you need to do. Please ask your GP or one of our nurses to complete the application form from CCS Disability Action . The cost for a 5-year permit is $50. To help you plan an outing, the Christchurch City Council has a map of where the mobility carparks are. Total Mobility Discounted Transport Scheme People with ME/CFS are entitled to discounts that give them 75% off fares with approved transport operators - up to a maximum of $70 per trip. You can also use the Total Mobility card to get 50% discount on Metro bus fares too. As at June 2024, the Total Mobility scheme is available through the following participating transport operators: Greater Christchurch - Christchurch Mobility Transfers. Blue Star Taxis, Driving Miss Daisy, First Direct, Freedom Companion Driving Services NZ Ltd (ChCh North and Rolleston), Gold Band Taxis, NZ Total Care Mobility Ltd Ashburton - Ashburton Taxis Timaru - Geraldine Community Minibus Trust, Timaru Taxis, Driving Miss Daisy Waimate - Waimate Community Vehicle Trust Applications can be made through Aspire Canterbury ($34 per annum) or talk with one of our nurses to apply through Aged Concern (one off $30 fee). Your GP or one of our nurses can sign the application form. For more info, see: Environment Canterbury Total Mobility Scheme . Total Mobility on Metro buses in Christchurch and Timaru. Online Grocery Shopping You might find that it is worth taking the time to get familiar with ordering groceries online so that they are delivered to your home or made ready for pickup at the supermarket. It saves a lot of energy and may help you to manage the rest of your week. For more information about the services and costs of online shopping see the up-to-date information from the stores: Woolworths - Pickup or Delivery Pak'nSave - Pickup only New World - Click and Collect or Delivery Fresh Choice - Pickup or Delivery at selected stores Hāpai Access Card This card is for the disabled community and it's aim is to provide the cardholder with empathetic customer service from businesses, cafes and attractions involved with the programme. Your card will indicate what barriers you may face when engaging with the community. For example, it may indicate that you cannot stand in a queue, so when you show your card they will invite you to the front. The card also provides discounts in some retail and council settings. The Hāpai Access Card costs $30 for 3 years. People can self-refer for the card and need to provide evidence of needs. Our Registered Nurse Service can also complete an application for you. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard The sunflower is a globally recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities. Wearing a sunflower lanyard lets airport staff know that you may need a little extra help or understanding when travelling. Other businesses, such as ASB, recognise the lanyard. Please bear in mind that a sunflower lanyard will not get you through queues faster or provide a personal escort or wheelchair through airports. Talk to your airline about special assistance or the use of a wheelchair while at the airport. The Sunflower Lanyard Facilities at Christchurch Airport include lower sensory bathrooms, information desks, a quiet pod, and a quiet seating area. We normally have supplies of the Sunflower Lanyards provided by Christchurch Airport or you can order directly from them.

Work and Income Advocacy When we live with a debilitating chronic illness like ME/CFS, we may be unable to work to generate income for ourselves and our families. Depending on our family situation, other income and assets, there may be some income support available from Work and Income, a department of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). We know it can be difficult working through the information and the application steps. We have summarised the income support available and how to access it on the Work and Income Assistance page in our Living with ME/CFS section of this website. You can also be connected to the advocates in our Work and Income Advocacy Service. They provide confidential support to people affected by ME/CFS and will help you to access any assistance that you are eligible for from Work and Income. This service is normally delivered through email, but it depends what suits you best - text, phone call, zoom call or home visits are also an option. The support may include: Helping to determine your eligibility for the different financial benefits and allowances. Assisting in filling out paperwork and applications. With your permission, acting on your behalf as your agent. Working with your GP to ensure any required medical certificates reflect the severity and impacts of your illness. Supporting you through issues with Work and Income. Advocating on your behalf with Work and Income. To access our Work and Income Advocacy Service: Please be aware that our services are only available to people affected by ME/CFS or Long Covid, or those who are currently exploring this diagnosis. If that is not you, please contact Beneficiary Advisory Services in Christchurch (800 000 043 or office@bas.org.nz ) or find your local service on the Community Law website. To refer yourself to our Work and Income Advocacy Service for people affected by ME/CFS, sign up as a member and note on the form what help would be beneficial, and one of our team will be in touch. FILL OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP FORM CONTACT US If you are already a member, send us an email about the help you are needing.