Community Groups
A Peer Support Group is a group of people who are going through the same or similar experience, such as a chronic illness or condition, who come together to discuss their situation, socialise, share information and offer each other support.
Groups come in all shapes and sizes
Peer Support Groups vary widely from casual get-togethers at cafes, to informal meetings at local community centres, to structured meetings with agendas and office bearers. Some groups invite guest speakers to provide specialist information, some run hobby groups, while others run meditation sessions or go to the movies. Each group is different and is based on the needs and interests of its members, rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model.
Peer Support
Peer Support Groups in your state/territory are listed below. To join a group, or find out more, simply contact the relevant Peer Leader via the contact details provided below.
Please note that the groups listed below are not affiliated with Emerge Australia and as such, we cannot endorse or verify these groups.
Sharing your Support Group details with the community
We’re looking for ME/CFS community support groups to share with the people that need them most. If you run a support group, get in contact with us by filling out the form using the button below.
Active Community Groups
VIC
Geelong ME/CFS Support Group
Location Geelong, Victoria – Meets at Noble St Uniting Church, enter from rear of church, Saffron St, Newtown.
Description We meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month, with the exception of November, where we still meet, however on the 2nd Tuesday of that month due to Melbourne Cup Day.
We have a Christmas breakup in December which all are welcome to attend.
We meet monthly to offer support to people with ME/CFS or other related illnesses, their carers, friends or family members. We occasionally have guest speakers and also have been involved in research studies with Deakin University. We have a library and happy to provide resources and support to those who need it. We hold 1-2 awareness days each year to try and raise awareness and also advocate for those who dont have a voice.
Contact Susan – geelonggroupcfsme@hotmail.com
The Café Club (Inner Melbourne Social Group)
Location Richmond, St Kilda and Fitzroy, Victoria (Zoom meeting only)
Description Our group is a friendly and informal one where we share experiences and information and make new friends. We used to meet at different cafes each month and have other face to face social events, but since Covid we’ve
been purely an online group. We meet on Zoom on the 4th Sunday of each
month
Contact Jane – janeberman03@yahoo.com
Café Connect for ME
Location Bendigo, Victoria
Description The group meets monthly at a cafe or a park. We provide a social connection for people who live with ME/CFS and carers of those with ME/CFS.
Contact Diane – cafeconnectforme@gmail.com
TAS
Hobart Support Group
Location The Elizabeth Lounge, 29 Elizabeth Street, Hobart CBD
Description We meet last Monday of every second month 10:30 am -12 pm.
We are diverse folks with some shared challenges and experiences with ME/CFS, who welcome you and look forward to meeting you!
Meetup locations may change but are always chosen for the comfort of ME/CFS bodies in this era of COVID-19.
Contact Jenna jaybar65@gmail.com
NSW
Blue Mountains ME/CFS/FM Support Group NSW
Location Mid Mountains Neighbourhood Centre, 9 New Street Lawson
Description The group meets monthly in person on the first Thursday: 12 pm till 2 pm and every third Tuesday via Zoom from 12 pm till 1:30 pm.
No obligation for participants to attend the entire meeting. You need to be a local, or almost local to join our support group. We cover far western Sydney and up to Dubbo as well.
We are supported wonderfully by our neighbourhood centre. They supply a gluten free morning tea and a free room. We also have a Facebook page but only for our locals. We have over 150 members but only between 6 to 12 come to the meeting. We also support west Sydney and west to Dubbo
Contact Belong Blue Mountains – cfsbluemountains@gmail.com
Invisible Illness/Chronic Health Support Group
Location Glebe, Sydney (and new additional location in North West Sydney)
Description Casual chat over coffee / lunch. Majority of group members have ME/CFS/FM.
Contact Russell – https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Sydney-Chronic-Health-Support-Meetup-Group/
Tweed Heads (CFS/ME/FMS Support Group)
Location Tweed Heads
Description We meet on the first Friday of every month except January at 10:30 am in the Activities Room, Home and Community Centre, Cnr Heffron Street and Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South. We have a casual get-together every third Friday at 10:30 am at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Tweed Heads.
We are obliged to charge $5:00 for our first Friday meetings to cover room hire. We have been unable to find free accommodation for our meetings in the area. Tea, coffee and biscuits and a lucky door prize are supplied at no cost. There is a large monitor supplied with the room which we use to show Utube videos relating to me/cfs. Those who are interested usually go for lunch after the meeting.
Contact Bronwyn mecfstweed@gmail.com
Café Club
Location
Chat From Home: 4th Saturday of each month 2pm – 3pm
In Person Cafe Clubs:
Wollongong: 2nd Thursday of the month: 11.00am – 12 noon
Woonona 3rd Thursday of the month: 11.00am – 12 noon
Kiama 3rd Thursday of the month: 11.00am – 12 noon
Shellharbour: 4th Thursday of the month: 11.00am – 12 noon
Description Supporting people in the Illawarra and surrounding regions with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM), as well as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Long COVID and other related neuroimmune conditions
Contact Co-ordinators: John & Winsome
Email: mecfsfmwollongong@gmail.com
Website: www.mecfsfmwollongong.org
QLD
ME/CFS Support Support Association Qld Inc
Location PO Box 125, Queensland, Toowoomba
Description We meet the 1st Wednesday of each month (except January) from 10am – 12.00pm at the Dr Price Room, Little Street Toowoomba. There is no cost to attend meetings, tea and coffee is supplied. We support sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Long Covid
Contact: Lyn Wilson
Email: mefmtba@bigpond.com
Website: http://www.mecfsfmq.org.au/home/?page_id=213
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mecfsfm.qld
Virtual Online Community Groups
Parents of Young People with ME/CFS Australia
Location Australia Wide – https://www.facebook.com/groups/164952131125972
Description Parents of Young People with ME/CFS Australia is the only Australian-based support group for families with children who have ME/CFS, predominantly school-aged from primary to young adults. It was founded in 2018 and currently has 330+ members, with discussions including education and non-traditional approaches to schooling such as Distance Education, health issues and management, and accessing government supports such as NDIS, DSP and carers payments.
ME/CFS/FM Support Group Newcastle District
Location Newcastle, NSW – https://www.facebook.com/groups/183053372120801
Description Newcastle has a strong local CFS/FM Facebook group with over 150 members. They try to meet a few times a year, however they are a bit short on admins and volunteers to arrange them. Face to face meetings are health (and volunteer) dependent, but the online group response and support is very strong.
