Fatigue: my life, your research

NIHR Clinical Research Network North East North Cumbria is organising an event on fatigue research. This event has been co-designed with patients and we aim to raise awareness of fatigue and explore how it affects many different health conditions.

• Learn about current research taking place in fatigue across the region.
• Hear from patients living with fatigue and the impact it has on their lives.
• Share your views and take part in discussions.
• Explore how we can develop research studies in fatigue.
• Discover the support and resources available in our region in the marketplace.

The event is open to patients, carers, GPs and researchers who have an interest in fatigue in North East and North Cumbria.

Workshop information:

During the afternoon we will hold a workshop and would like you to think about the following questions ahead of the event:

• How can we improve communication between patients and researchers so that they can hear about studies?
• How can we improve communication and signposting between clinicians, charities and support groups?
• What research would you like to see around fatigue?
• What would make your life easier living with fatigue?
• Can you define fatigue?

Please note these questions are just for information and for you to think about ahead of the event.

Poetry and art submission:

We invite you to create an inspiring and thought-provoking poem or piece of artwork that illustrates what it means to live with fatigue. We will then display your creative pieces at the event.

We are delighted that Dr Juliet Chenery-Robson, a visual artist, photographer and researcher will be joining us on the day to exhibit her ME artwork in the marketplace.

Guidelines and conditions:

• We welcome applications from all abilities.
• The work must address the theme of illustrating what it means to leave with fatigue and must be suitable for public display.
• Designs must be unique and original.
• Poetry submissions should be no longer than 500 words.
• The mediums for the art pieces that we will accept are paintings: oil, acrylics, water colour, drawings: coloured pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, mixed media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, water colour and photographs.
• The maximum size of the artwork is: width 50cm x height 50cm.

Application process:

You must sumit your poem or a photograph of your piece of artwork to nenccommunications@nihr.ac.uk

We do not accpet any pieces of artwork by post. We would also like you to submit up to 50 words of text that describes what the artwork or poetry means to you.

The deadline for submission is 5pm on Friday 22nd March 2019

For further information please contact nenccommunications@nihr.ac.uk or call 0191 2823908.

Arrival information:

Arrival and registration will be from 10:30-11:00am and refreshments will be provided.

Getting to the venue:

The venue is located very close to Newcastle Central Station with local train, metro links and bus stops outside the station.

Times Square multi-storey car park is located behind the venue and we can offer a discounted rate of £4.50.

As you enter the car park, please take a ticket from the machine at the entrance, park and bring your ticket with you to reception.

Please ask a member of the Life Science Centre team, at ANY time during the day and they will stamp your ticket to receive the concessionary price.

Once the event has ended please take your ticket back to the office at the car park (office is located through the main doors on ground level) and pay at the office (not the ticket machine). Your exit ticket will then be issued to you.