Our profile

DFSG was founded in March 2007 and our first meeting took place at Devonshire House in the grounds of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary (Derby Community Hospital, London Road), on the 10^th May 2007.  As a first meeting it was very successful and about thirty eight people attended.

Because of the access to the meeting room, we moved the meetings to the Charnwood Spiritualist Church on Charnwood Street Derby which has greater disabled access and parking to the rear off Melbourne Street. 

The Three people who started the group were Jackie Banton, Douglas Banton and Paula Crawford. 

Jackie came up with the idea when she attended a pain management clinic and found out that she had the syndrome and the nearest support groups were at Nottingham or Burton upon Trent. Knowing Paula as a friend for nine years and knowing she had fibro, asked Paula to help with the group. 

Julia Barnes met Jackie at the Burton fibro group, and joined the committee after attending the first meeting and we were joined by Anne Hughes in September 2007.

Paula and Julie have since resigned off the committee and we were joined by David Hughes (Anne’s husband). Anne has also resigned and all are missed.

Where we are now

We currently run the group on a twice monthly basis, every second Thursday of the month and one Saturday per month, the Saturday meeting’s dates vary due to church events.

We currently run both meetings from the Charnwood Spiritualist Church on Charnwood Street, Derby.  We have a dedicated hardcore attendance every meeting but get new members regularly. 

We constantly distribute posters and leaflets at doctor’s surgeries and hospital waiting rooms. 

We are also currently involved with running awareness tables at local fates and event’s, we are staging an event in November 2010 with a stage hypnotist and a support band.  All of which goes towards raising awareness of the syndrome and helps raise funds towards the running costs of the group.

Who we are

Hi, my name is Jackie, and I was diagnosed with FM in January 2006.  I had trouble coming to terms with the illness.

 I looked on the internet and contacted the Nottingham group, to find out if there was a support group in Derby, so I could have someone to talk to about how I felt.  It was at this point I realised that my friends didn’t understand and they visited less.

  I was fortunate to be able to join the Pain Management Programme at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.  I decided then that a support group was needed in Derby, I felt very strongly about it, so it was down to me to make the first move that was In December 2006.

Douglas Banton

Hi, I’m Jackie’s husband and I find that working with the group so interesting and enjoyable I have learned so much about the syndrome.

Helping to run the group really puts all of the computer skills that I have learned over the last 10 years to good use and hope to continue to use them in the future.

The people who attend the meetings are from all walks of life and backgrounds, it’s surprising how many people think that there will only be a few people at the meeting and go away after making new friends.

Lisa Hodgson

Hello everyone, I'm the Vice-Chairperson of the Group. I have been married for over 25 years and work as a Senior Support Worker (RNLD) supporting people with learning difficulties.  I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2007 at the Rheumatology Department where I had been referred again. Before being diagnosed I began to experience mostly in my hips around 1999-2000.  I had lots of tests, assessments and investigations, and tried numerous painkillers with no success.  this is why I was referred.

When I was diagnosed I was given a leaflet on Fibromyalgia then discharged.  I felt that I was left dangling with no support.  Fortunately, when I was going for another blood test I Met Jackie, who was running an awareness table at the local hospital, she gave me some information and invited me to a group meeting.

The group has been my life saver as the more I understand about Fibromyalgia the more I can manage it.  It is also nice to know I am not alone and can share with others who have Fibromyalgia.

as I became more involved with the group I felt I wanted to do more to support others with Fibromyalgia, while I still could, as I have been diagnosed with Ostio-Arthritis and Spondylitis.  Volunteers are always welcome to raise awareness of Fibromyalgia, a misunderstood condition.  However as awareness grows, support will grow.  This is my hope fir all of us who have Fibromyalgia.

Shirley Fenn

Hi, I am fund raiser for the group. 

I was diagnosed with Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) about two years ago, although I do not have Fibromyalgia I can relate to some of the symptoms because of my CFS.

I have a background in sales, marketing and customer service.

I am married with two adult children and three younger children.

Christina Berger

Hi, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in June 2005.

I really enjoy going to the group meetings. 

As the group needed a Secretary I decided to apply and to become more involved with the group. I encourage sufferers and their families to go along to the group meetings as it is a great way to find out more about Fibromyalgia.

Our Aims

The aims of the Group shall be:

     To increase the awareness of Fibromyalgia in the community and professionals

     To provide information and limited support to people who have Fibromyalgia, their families and carers.

     To provide a safe environment for people to share their experiences and provide support for each other

     To help members to look at new ways of managing their illness in order to improve the quality of life for people living with Fibromyalgia.

     To provide a social support network for people with Fibromyalgia

The previous extract is taken from our constitution, we also hope to provide friendly advice for professionals and other members of the group.