[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Fibromyalgia Association UK ” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-0″][vc_single_image image=”459″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Board members:

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About:

Fibromyalgia Action UK was first established in 1992 to provide information to people with fibromyalgia. In 1997, it began working also with the 40 support groups around the country providing free information leaflets and books for sale. There are now over 150 support groups working with Fibromyalgia Action UK and a network of regional coordinators who help set up new groups and arrange regional events such as meetings and conferences. The charity is mostly managed by volunteers, who provide an incredible level of support and dedication to ensure that the organisation is sustainable. Fibromyalgia Action UK operates as a signpost to information and resources for people who are living with fibromyalgia. The organisation is active in raising awareness, particularly around International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12th, and during Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in September. More recently, Fibromyalgia Action UK has increased its research portfolio, working with a variety of external individuals to prioritise, design and conduct research to advance our understanding of fibromyalgia, with the goal of improving the quality of life of people living with fibromyalgia.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Mission statement:

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History:

Fibromyalgia Association UK was first established in 1992 to provide information to people with fibromyalgia. In 1997 it began working also with the 40 support groups around the country providing free information leaflets and books for sale. There are now over 120 support groups working with FMA UK and a network of regional coordinators who help set up new groups and arrange regional events such as meetings and conferences. We have also held national and regional conferences with international speakers for both people with fibromyalgia and medical professionals. Currently we supply information through our website, monthly magazine and professional and patient booklets. We have a national helpline for general enquiries about fibromyalgia and one specifically for benefit queries. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Fibromyalgia was formed in 2001 and holds regular meetings to inform MPs of the problems surrounding fibromyalgia and possible solutions. Our Medical Advisory Board is comprised of expert medical professionals in various disciplines who provide information for our publications and specific queries. The charity is mostly run by volunteers without whom we would not be able to provide the level of service we do.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Objectives:

• To make people aware of fibromyalgia and its affects: to the public at large and to the health professionals that are responsible for diagnosing and treating people with the condition.
• To support people with fibromyalgia through contact with support groups and others with the condition.
• To lobby for more effective, available treatment.the flexible labour market when possible.

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Before 2008

Activity name	Objectives	Date	Venue
Leaflet produced	Information and guidance	1992	Stockport UK
Registered as charity	Official recognition	1994
Benefit helpline	Provide specific support for benefit queries.	1995	Chorley UK
National meeting(since held annually around the UK)	To bring support groups together	1996	Stourbridge
Magazine produced	To provide information		Stourbridge
First national conference	Raise awareness	1998	Harrogate
Website launched	Reaching a wider audience	2000	Stourbridge
Attendance at fibromyalgia conference	Networking, information gathering	2000	Los Angeles
UK national conference	Raising awareness and recent updates in knowledge	2000	Bournemouth
All Party Parliamentary Group formed	Raise awareness amongst MPs	2001	House of Commons London
National Helpline established	To enable calls to be taken by volunteers outside of the office	2001	Throughout the UK
UK national conference	Raising awareness and recent updates in knowledge	2002	Harrogate
Medical Advisory Board	To provide panel with expert knowledge	2003	Throughout the UK
GP information leaflet	Provide information for all GPs in diagnosing fibromyalgia	2003	Thoughout the UK
Information pack for new groups	To provide information and guidance to people wanting to start a support group	2003	Throughout the UK
UK national conference	Raising awareness and recent updates in knowledge	2004	Imperial College London
Medical professionals managing fibromyalgia booklet	Provide information to medical professional about diagnosis and treatment	2004	Throughout UK
Stand at professional conference (Annually)	To inform medical professionals about diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia	2005	NEC Birmingham
Volunteer awards(annually)	To recognize the vital contribution made by volunteers	2005	Stourbridge
Regional conference	Raising awareness and recent updates in knowledge	2006	Hull
New information booklet produced	Provide a professional quality publication	2006	Stourbridge
Regional conference	Raising awareness and recent updates in knowledge	2007	Liverpool
Myopain and Leaders Against Pain meeting	Updating on recent research, advocacy workshops	2007	Washington USA
EULAR meeting	Updating on recent research	2007	Barcelona
Joined ARMA	To add the fibromyalgia perspective to this network	2007	UK

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In 2008

British Rheumatology Society Conference	Raise awareness amongst medical professionals within the rheumatology field	23rd -25th April	Liverpool
1st European World Fibromyalgia Day 2008	Raising awareness at the European Level	7th of May 08	Brussels, Belgium
Coffee Morning for MPs	Raise awareness amongst MPS	12th May 08	Portcullis House London
Group leaders’ meeting	Improve awareness raising	6th June 08	City Hospital Nottingham
Attended International Leaders Against Pain	Network with other organisations and improve awareness technique through workshop sessions	11 – 14 August 2008	Washington DC
Awareness Week	For support groups around the UK to raise awareness through coffee mornings and other local events	6th – 12th  September  2008	various

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In 2008

British Rheumatology Society Conference	Raise awareness amongst medical professionals within the rheumatology field	23rd -25th April	Liverpool
1st European World Fibromyalgia Day 2008	Raising awareness at the European Level	7th of May 08	Brussels, Belgium
Coffee Morning for MPs	Raise awareness amongst MPS	12th May 08	Portcullis House London
Group leaders’ meeting	Improve awareness raising	6th June 08	City Hospital Nottingham
Attended International Leaders Against Pain	Network with other organisations and improve awareness technique through workshop sessions	11 – 14 August 2008	Washington DC
Awareness Week	For support groups around the UK to raise awareness through coffee mornings and other local events	6th – 12th  September  2008	various

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In 2009

Activity name	Objectives	Date	Venue
All Party Parliamentary Group on Fibromyalgia	To raise awareness amongst MPs of the problems faced by people with fibromyalgia	10th February 2009	House of Commons
Young people’s booklet produced	To give information to young people with coping strategies.	March 2009
British Society of Rheumatology conference	To raise awareness of treatment for fibromyalgia among the rheumatology team	28th -29th April 2009	Glasgow
International Awareness Day	To raise awareness amongst the general public	12th May 2009	various
Group Leaders meeting	For group leaders to discuss best practice with FMA UK and network	6th June 2009	Stourbridge
Awareness week	To raise awareness of fibromyalgia amongst the general public	7th – 13th  September	various
NW Conference	Information for people with fibromyalgia and professionals	12th September 2009	Arrowe Park Hospital Merseyside

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Expectations from the Network

By working together we hope to have a greater voice in Europe to bring about the recognition needed to improve diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia. To enable this by organizing and coordinating events to raise awareness throughout Europe.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]