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The Tymes Trustcard

A unique service from Tymes Trust for children with ME.
Endorsed by Education Minister Baroness Ashton.
Endorsed by the Secondary Heads Association.

What is the Tymes Trustcard? It's a "pass card" signed by the child's Head Teacher and carrying the child's photograph. It states that the child has permission to use the school's disabled facilities or obtain other assistance.

The launch of the Trustcard follows the Report of the Chief Medical Officer's Working Group, published in January, of which Jane Colby, Executive Director of the Trust, was a member.

The Report stated that: "Activity beyond the level that an individual can usually tolerate will prompt a delayed worsening of symptoms." The Department of Health has publicly endorsed this Report, both in its press conference and in a recent House of Lords debate.

What sort of things can it be used for? The child can quietly request what he or she needs - to wear dark glasses against the light, to sit out from a lesson, to be excused from PE, to wear extra clothes for warmth, to go to the rest room etc. There should be no need to give lengthy explanations - the pass card is simply shown to the teacher.

Jane Colby, Executive Director of Tymes Trust and co-author of the largest study of ME in schoolchildren ever published, explains: "We are launching the Tymes Trustcard to protect the health of children with ME whilst in school. If children with ME have to expend precious energy explaining why they feel ill, this makes them even more ill. At the moment they are often refused the help they need. Schools and teachers who do not understand ME are a key cause of relapse in children. This is confirmed by experienced paediatricians."

The Secondary Heads Association is supporting the use of the Trustcard and states in its newsletter to Headteachers: "Deterioration after a latent period of 2/3 days may follow even minimal effort. Use of the Trustcard will assist the school to comply with DFES statutory guidance Access to Education for children and young people with Medical Needs".

ME is thought to affect up to 25,000 children and young people in the UK. It is the biggest cause of Long-term Sickness Absence from school. Tymes Trust provides training and information for teachers and educational professionals.

The Trust specialises in targeting practical problems with practical solutions. At a recent reception in the House of Lords hosted by the Tymes Trust's patron Lord Clement-Jones CBE, three of the Trust's young members who cannot attend school regularly and who have no access to a computer were presented with Tymes Trust computers funded by Ronald McDonalds Childrens Charities.

The Tymes Trustcard information is written simply for children and explains:

If you have ME but can get to school for some of the time, you've probably met teachers - maybe supply teachers - who don't know you and who don't understand ME. This is a classic recipe for becoming worse through no fault of your own.

Maybe you can recall needing a snack in class because you felt ill? This can be due to low blood sugar and is remedied by eating something. But most schools won't allow that.

Have you ever felt that by the time you had done explaining, you would feel even worse? We know of young people who have simply decided not to ask for the support they're entitled to, or who have given up in the middle of explaining, just to save energy and avoid attracting attention. We know how you feel.

So, if your school has a lift but you're not allowed to use it, if you've needed to miss lessons, or stay indoors at lunchtime, if you haven't done homework and a teacher has demanded to know why - the Tymes Trustcard can help.

How does a child get a Tymes Trustcard? The child (or the parents) sends a stamped, addressed envelope to Tymes Trust to obtain an application form. Or they can ring the charity on the number below. Membership is not required.

What else comes with the card? There is information and a personal letter for the Head Teacher so that he or she understands the child's requirements and can instruct staff.

What does it look like? The card is small and can be discreetly carried in the child's wallet or bag. It is laminated to protect it from creasing or damp, and carries a photograph.

For information and student application forms, families and schools should contact Tymes Trust, PO Box 4347, Stock, Ingatestone, CM4 9TE. Tel: 01245 401080. Information is also on the Trust's partner website: www.youngactiononline.com.

Young Action Online    PO Box 4347    Stock    Ingatestone    CM4 9TE