Waikato

Tracey Larsen
Health and Wellness Facilitator
Tuesday to Friday 9am till 4.30pm
Phone or Txt: 022 154 7076
[email protected]
Support services for people in the Waikato affected by ME/CFS, were established by Frankie Letford in 1999. Frankie, who saw the need for this provided phone support, newsletters and organised support groups. For 10 years, Frankie coordinated this, as she was able to in a voluntary capacity with support from MS Waikato. With growth came the need to employ a support worker. For a further 12 years, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia clients were then supported under the umbrella of MS Waikato.
During this time, the group continued to grow considerably, and recently sought to separate itself from MS Waikato to create their own identity. Following discussions with the Bay of Plenty organisation Complex Chronic illness Support Inc. (CCIS) an agreement was made and CCIS has welcomed the ME/CFS group into their midst. The CCIS model for service, is a better fit for supporting those affected by ME/CFS and allied conditions than under the MS umbrella.
“I have been attending the monthly Complex Chronic Illness Support group since March 2021 and I find very helpful not only finding out more about my illness but also talking to others with the same illness.
The facilitator, Tracey Larsen, is a wonderful and incredibly helpful person who has helped me enormously in the short time since my diagnosis.”
From MC.

August 2022
Kia ora and welcome from the mighty Waikato.
I do hope you are all well and coping with the winter weather fluctuations – Rain, wind and in some places, snow. I hope you have not had to endure any flooding where you live.
I can’t believe the weather today though … What a cracker day!! This is what greeted me upon waking today… Amazing!!
Well, Covid is again hitting our news headlines. Despite rising numbers, I am continuing to go ahead with the Waikato Social group meetings. I have just got them up and running again so I am reluctant to stop. It appears that our community have a very strong need to connect as attendance has been great. No pressure for you to attend, please only attend if you feel comfortable doing so. If wearing your mask at the café helps you to feel more comfortable, that is all good!!
Monthly Members Meetings
Is for all our members who want to attend a monthly meeting but do not have the extra energy to leave their homes, or due to Covid-19 levels.
Currently, all Monthly Member Meetings are held online. We welcome you to join us - if you need support getting online, please contact your facilitator and we can have a practice prior to meeting time so that you feel more comfortable on the day.
Tuesday May 10th
10:30 - 11.30 am

Karen
Wellness Facilitator
Tuesday June 14th
10:30 - 11.30 am

Tracey
Health & Wellness Facilitator
Social Groups
All Social Groups in the Waikato region are currently on hold.
Hamilton
Waikato Social Group
Held at the Jukebox Diner at 2pm on the following dates
ON HOLD due to Covid-19
July 20th
August 24th
September 21st
October 26th
November 23rd
Young Ladies Hamilton Group
ON HOLD due to Covid-19
Cambridge
ON HOLD due to Covid-19
Tuesday 24th August 10.30am at Woolshed Cafe at Te Awa Retirement Village
Please contact Fiona via email for more information if you are interested in this.
Te Awamutu
ON HOLD due to Covid-19
Te Awamutu group meet the third Thursday of the month. We meet in the afternoons in colder weather and at 10.30am during warmer months.
October: Thursday 7th October, 1pm, Gillz Cafe
November: Thursday 18th November, 10.30am Gillz Cafe
December: Thursday 16th December, 10.30am Columbus Cafe, Mega Mitre 10
The venue changes each month, so watch this space for updates or contact Fiona via email for more information