FFU-Scotland CIC (Fibro Friends United Scotland) are Scotland's National Organisation for Fibromyalgia. Incorporated in April 2017 as a non profit organisation SC563212.
We are led by a board of 4 volunteer directors all of whom have decades of lived experience of Fibromyalgia between them as well as professional working backgrounds across Social Work, Health, Care, Events and the Military.
OUR MISSION
To foster a stronger connected, inclusive, and empowering Fibromyalgia Community working with and for Fibromyalgia in Scotland.
FFU Scotland aim to achieve this through the provisions of supports and services to provide opportunities to better self-manage the syndrome, the development of the first community-based pathway centre for Fibromyalgia in Scotland and wider collaborative and advocacy work within all sectors, especially within health and social care, research provisions and regional/national government levels. The organisation also has fostered collaborations UK and Worldwide to aim for the best provisions, information, and support for everyone living with Fibromyalgia from point of diagnosis onwards as well as newer fostered collaborations within the Long Covid agenda.
FFU Scotland embrace care support and seek to offer inclusion and joint learning around fibromyalgia and the fibromyalgia community as well as fostering links and educative input to employers and other professionals across both Public and Third Sector.
Volunteering is a central to our organisation as is stakeholder work. We wish to empower volunteers living with Fibromyalgia and other long-term conditions to revisit their skill and knowledge base that has been somewhat hampered due to ill health and not only utilise but expand on these in a supported and encouraging manner to increase self-confidence and reduce isolation as part of their self-management with the potential of reintegration if desired into the workforce.
FFU Scotland CIC pre the pandemic travelled across the country with both Information and merchandise stalls, attending varied large events networking and speaking to stakeholders from members, supporters, and professionals. We also attended groups providing talks on Fibromyalgia. The organisation also ran 3 support meetings and had 3 information drop in venues which we hope we can get up and running now that restrictions have eased.
The organisation launched Scotland's first Fibromyalgia Awareness Week Campaign in 2018 and this has grown from strength to strength, with 2022 #light upforfibro campaign being supported by over 50+ landmarks/local authority venues participating in the weeks light up campaign.
FFU Scotland CIC over the last 5/6 years have provided education, information, advice and guidance, signposting and referrals to other agencies, benefit support and advocacy and poverty and wellbeing outreach work through a fibro food and hygiene bank based in the centre in Ayrshire. All these services are developing as well as the development of further services and supports within a full community-based pathway from point of diagnosis to ongoing care to assist each person with Fibromyalgia through their self-management journey.
OUR MOTTO
Support - We can support our members from the initial point of diagnosis, we can help you start your journey into living with Fibromyalgia while providing you with a community of fellow Fibromites who have a wealth of advice, knowledge and insight into how you are feeling.,
Empower - We want you to know you are still you, your skills are still valid and you still have lots to offer although the path may be slightly different now, we can help you grow and develop your current or even new skills.
Inspire - We want to inspire you into volunteering and give you the opportunity to support others who are struggling to start their journey, through this you will begin to inspire others to follow in your footsteps
If you, or someone you know has Fibromyalgia please get in touch, email: support@ffu-scotland.org or Tel;: 01294 537566