Tomorrow we're excited to host our second Picnic In The Park event, open to everyone!
Getting out and about with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and Long Covid can be really hard - and I understand this from living with ME and Fibromyalgia myself. I know how good for me it is to get Vitamin D and spend time in green spaces, but it can be intimidatingly difficult to do so when my entire body aches, my head is foggy, and it takes mental effort to put one foot in front of the other. Not to mention having to plan my energy levels for the next few days, and research how accessible the destination is, and make sure I've brought everything with me I might need...
But when I know I'm going to see other people, it's a little easier. When there's a goal outside of 'me', I look forward to it more. I choose to spend some of my energy on it, because of the joy I know it will give me!
As a charity, we really want to foster this. We know how essential it is to pace one's energy and how many factors one has to consider before even leaving the house - but we also want to provide opportunities to make it worthwhile for people to do this in a way that is safe for them. So we're hosting these picnics as little joyful event to members, carers, and anyone in the community affected by the conditions.
Each picnic will be held at a different park around the city - over the next few months, we'll be meeting at Hillsborough Park, Endcliffe Park and Millhouses Park so that if one destination isn't accessible to you, hopefully you'll be able to make it to another one! Details of these will be published in our forthcoming Summer magazine, and we'll send an email a week before.
As for me, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. I've planned how I'm going to get there and back, I'm making sure to pace my energy for the rest of the week - and I can't wait to look out over the city I love with people who understand and support each other. I hope to see you there!
- Pippa
PICNIC IN THE PARK
TIME: Wed 29th June @ 3pm
LOCATION: Norfolk Heritage Park
MEET: By the cafe opposite the car park, off Guildford Avenue
BRING: Food, drinks, whatever you need to be comfy!
Feel free to also bring games, magazines, or anything else you would enjoy.
Our manager Elyane will be there with a copy of our Spring magazine, to help you find us. The team will also be bringing some folding chairs, and feel free to bring your own too if you can.
In the event of heavy rain, we'll sadly have to cancel 😔 If the weather is uncertain on the day and you need to check, or if you have any other questions, contact Elyane on this number: 07753 948186
Whether you're a regular, or a member who has never been to an event before, or you're just learning about the group - we would really love to see you there! 💙💜
To find out more about Sheffield ME & Fibromyalgia group, including how to become a member, visit https://www.sheffieldmegroup.co.uk/
You can also follow us on twitter at @sheffieldmefm