Breaking Isolation Workshop - 16th May - Ages 8-14

Thank you for confirming your attendance on the Breaking Isolation workshop for young people with M.E./CFS who are aged 8-14 years old held on 16th May at 4pm.

Here is all the info you need for the workshop:

1. What to expect at the BI workshop:

1. Quick Introductions: who we are (the facilitators) and what we do
2. Ice breaker activity to get to know each other
3. A chat about something chosen by you – we will do a poll at the beginning of the workshop (school, things that work well with your M.E./CFS, struggles with M.E./CFS, hobbies etc)
4. A 5 minute break halfway through the workshop
5. Free/creative chat – a time to talk about whatever you like, but with a creative element - we want to encourage creativity and fun for this part of the workshop, so we are suggesting you bring along one of the following:

• A pet to introduce on camera
• Some crafts to make something whilst chatting
• Something you have made previously and want to show the group
• Art they love by someone else
• Your favourite item from your home that says something about who you are (could be anything!)
• Anything else you like that’s crafty, fun or you want to talk about
• You do not need to bring anything, you can simply relax and chat

2. Workshop practicalities and Group Agreement:

Practicalities

• The workshop will last for 1 hour from 4pm – 5pm

• The workshop is hosted by Keely, the Family Support Officer at AFME and a peer facilitator – (the peer facilitators are young people aged 18-19 and have M.E./CFS and volunteer for AFME - forming our Breaking Isolation steering group who helped shape the workshops)

• There is a 5 minute break half way through. (If you need a break at any other point, please feel free to take it, just let Keely know in the chat.)

• If you need to let us know anything, such as if you’re not feeling well, please type it into the chat window, and Keely will get back to you.

• We will ask you to participate in some parts, if you feel comfortable to. If you have something to say, then either put your hand up physically or using the hands up function, or type it in the chat.

Group Agreement

We would like to suggest a group agreement to help everyone feel included, safe and comfortable. These have been developed with ideas and input from young people with M.E. If you want to change or add anything, please let me know.

• Use of pronouns – please share your preferred pronouns

• Relaxed – no pressure for participation (but we enjoy hearing what you have to say!)

• Please keep mics off unless you’re speaking and put hands up if you want to share (unless Keely says you can keep them on, like in free chat/discussions)

• You can mute, turn off your camera, and/or take breaks whenever needed

• Only share what you feel comfortable to.

• What’s said in this zoom will stay in the zoom. This includes us not sharing info about you without your consent (unless we have any serious concerns)

• Respect others’ views and opinions

• This is a safe space

• Try not to interrupt each other (we know this can be hard on zoom!)

• If anything comes up in the workshops you want more support with, get in touch with Keely

4. Zoom link for workshop:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85973975297?pwd=zbOL94QovnyohDOSbJb6aBZWYmNEhG.1

Please do get in touch with me if you have any questions or anything you need to let us know before the workshops – you can email me any time on: keely@actionforme.org.uk. See you soon!