![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/POJPSLLTQRB4JM2Q2K3A4ORFFQ.jpg\")
\nMark Arundel. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
A Tauranga-based charity is stepping up support for New Zealanders living with complex chronic illnesses, tackling isolation among those with ME\/CFS, fibromyalgia and long Covid.<\/p>\n
Complex Chronic Illness Support (CCI Support) is a not-for-profit organisation offering services including education, advocacy, counselling and peer support.<\/p>\n
Chief executive Miranda Whitwell said many people feel isolated and disbelieved when living with these conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey … can carry a lot of guilt about not being able to do the things others might expect of them, like working or keeping up with everyday life.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many people, it\u2019s not that those around them don\u2019t care, but that these conditions can be really hard to understand if you haven\u2019t experienced them yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whitwell said that lack of understanding can leave people feeling alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why our role to help build understanding, while offering a space where people feel validated, heard and supported, is so vital.\u201d<\/p>\n
She described daily life for many as a constant balancing act.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine if you\u2019ve charged your phone and it looks 100%. With ME\/CFS they could wake up and it\u2019s 30%, and they have to decide what to do with that energy \u2013 whether they eat, shower or have a visitor.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything is a trade-off, and if they go over that limit they can end up in bed for multiple days.\u201d<\/p>\n
CCI Support works alongside GPs and hospitals to help people maintain stability and independence, particularly as demand for services grows and some members require home-based care or are bedbound.<\/p>\n
Accessible, low-energy ways to connect \u2013 including online support \u2013 are critical, Whitwell said, especially given limited healthcare pathways for many of the conditions.<\/p>\n
For some members, the organisation has become a lifeline.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore finding them, I felt completely alone and overwhelmed. Now I feel understood, supported, and more in control of my condition,\u201d one member said.<\/p>\n
\nMark Arundel. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
TECT Community Trust chair Mark Arundel said the organisation plays a vital role in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cComplex Chronic Illness Support is a vital service because it stands beside people who are often facing isolation, uncertainty and a loss of independence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the difference early, compassionate support can make, not only for the individual, but for their family as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Support is tailored to each individual, with members able to access one-on-one support, peer groups, wellness programmes, workshops, education sessions and practical help such as care packages, meal support and wellness checks.<\/p>\n
Help is also available for wh\u0101nau, carers, schools and health professionals.<\/p>\n
Despite the demand, CCI Support has at times been forced to close referrals, leaving dozens of people waiting for assistance.<\/p>\n
Whitwell said raising awareness was key to ensuring people get help earlier.<\/p>\n
\u201cAwareness of the conditions we support is really important because knowledge is power,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes just knowing support is out there and available, and reaching out for help, is really important because we are there and we care.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoing it alone is so difficult, so reaching out for support can be life-changing.\u201d<\/p>\n
People in Tauranga and the Western Bay seeking support can learn more via the organisation\u2019s website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Tauranga-based charity is stepping up support for New Zealanders living with complex chronic illnesses, tackling isolation among…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":525818,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[163,521,85,46],"class_list":["post-525817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-healthcare","tag-health","tag-healthcare","tag-il","tag-israel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=525817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525817\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/525818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=525817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=525817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=525817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}