Item

Task

Action

A1 

Search the internet for UK based research projects

Compile a list for FMA UK Trustees

A2

Check specific 0870 numbers on other websites *

These numbers are now obsolete so should no longer be used. Specific 0870 numbers will be given to you to check and in some cases replaced with 0845 numbers

A3

Check other websites for outdated information on FMA UK *

Notify the relevant webmaster asking them to update their information – full updated details will be given to you.

A4

Check FMA UK website for outdated information

Our information can also get out of date.  Inform our webmaster Des of your findings.

A5

Ask forum members for names of any supportive FM consultants *

Compile a list for FMA UK Trustees

A6

Ask forum members for names of their MPs 

Compile a list for FMA UK Trustees

A7

Ask forum members for their locations by town/county (NOT personal addresses) *

Prepare list detailing number of sufferers by town/county.  This list could help when setting up new groups.

A8

Ask forum members for any local press coverage in their area *

This will give us some idea of how much coverage fibromyalgia is getting

A9

Regularly update FMA UK booklist prices by referring to Nutricentre website.

Book list will be supplied.

A10

Encourage forum members to submit fundraising ideas that do not take time or effort by FMA UK.

Prepare list of possible ideas for presentation to the trustees, e.g. family and friends taking part in sponsored events; holding coffee awareness mornings.  Anything that requires neither time or money on the part of the trustees and FMA UK

A11

Elicit from forum members whether they would purchase FMA UK cotton shopping bags with our logo printed on them.  *

With the discussion about plastic store bags, we would like to help the environment by selling cotton/jute bags with the FMA UK details.  This would help to make FM visible, similar to the ‘wear yellow and black suggestion of last year but we need to know if members would buy these bags to see if this would be a viable exercise.  More details will be given by trustees.

A12

Add all support groups to Google Maps *

Ensure that the latest local support group information is published on Google Maps

Item

Task

Action

B1

Volunteers for national helpline duties *

We have a number of volunteers that have come forward. These will be trained and brought on board. New volunteers are welcome and will added to the training schedule on a first come first served basis.

Helpline requirements:

• Be available by the telephone for 2 or 3 mornings or afternoons per month.
• Be a good listener.
• Have a confident and reassuring telephone manner.
• Be knowledgeable about FM (symptoms, theories of causes etc)
• Keep up to date with FMA UK events & FMS news
• Be willing to attend a training course.
• Be willing to learn FMA UK procedur

Review electronic publications sent to us for comment

We are often asked to review specific documents etc., on fibromyalgia. We require someone with:

• Medical knowledge
• Good grasp of English language
• Good understanding of fibromyalgia
• Be able to give recommendations to FMA UK trustees

B3

Co-ordinator to organise/oversee selling on EBay

It is now possible to raise funds for charities like ours on EBay with partners www.missionfish.org.uk.  More details will be given if you feel you can help.

B4

Local Helpline volunteers *

To be a telephone contact for local areas where there are no support groups or where there are support groups but sufferer cannot get to meetings.

B5

Local Buddy volunteers

To be an email contact in local area for those who do not feel confident enough to post on forum.

Item

Task

Action 

C1

Regional Co-ordinator for East Anglia & Bedfordshire

This role includes liaising between FMA UK trustees and groups in that designated area.  Ideally this would be someone who lives in the area.  If interested, Full details of the role can be obtained from the FMA UK Office or simply asking the webmanager who will arrange for a copy to be sent to you.

C2

Regional Co-ordinator for the London area

See explanation above.

C3

Forum representative Trustee

We are looking for someone to represent forum members on the Board of Trustees.  There are three meetings per year with day to day decisions being made via emails or the Trustees Forum.  It is necessary to be able to travel to these board meetings.  If you are interested, more details can be obtained from the trustees via the website manager.

C4

Public Relations and Marketing

If you have experience in these areas and would like to help FMA UK with raising the public awareness of FM, please submit your CV to the trustees through the website manager

Item

Task

D1

Contact your MP so that he/she knows how many sufferers they have in their constituency.  Ask them to join the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fibromyalgia

A great way to do this would be by taking part in our postcard campaign.

MPs should contact Rob Wilson, MP for Reading East to sign up to the APPG

D2

Press coverage

Try to get your local paper(s) to run articles on fibromyalgia.

D3

Put up posters locally

Obtain poster from the FMA UK Office and place in prominent positions such as GP surgeries, libraries, hospital notice boards, community centres, etc.  Always ask permission first.

D4

Hold a coffee morning for family and friends on Monday May 12^th

This will coincide with the Coffee Morning Awareness event being held at Westminster.

D5

Get to know your MP

Make an appointment at one of your MP’s surgeries during National Awareness Week in September.  Talk to them about living with FM and encourage them to join APPG.  You don’t have to wait for September you can also do it for the May Awareness Day.

D6

Check the JustGiving website

Everyone can raise awareness by encouraging family and friends and others to look at the Justgiving website www.justgiving.com and search for Fibromyalgia.  There are several people trying to raise money for us and just a small donation would be really helpful.

D7

Donate your empty inkjet cartridges and old mobile phones to raise funds for FMA UK

Ask the office for some recycling bags.