Yvette Jackson, and her husband Andrew a farmer from Cumbria, brought a powerful, personal perspective on living with ME/CFS to Westminster last week, joining The ME Association as part of a national parliamentary event marking Carers Week 2026.

The event, held at Portcullis House on 10 June, brought together more than 30 MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum, creating an important platform to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges faced by unpaid carers, and recognise the invaluable contribution they make to families and communities across the UK.

Yvette, who is Andrew’s primary carer, advocated for greater understanding and support for both people living with ME/CFS and the unpaid carers who support them. Andrew is a fourth-generation farmer at Littlebeck Farm, a beef and sheep farm set in 180 acres near Penrith. He was diagnosed with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) 13 years ago.

ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), also known as CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), is a multisystemic disease. Symptoms include profound fatigue, sleep disturbance, post-exertional malaise, cognitive difficulties and a range of other symptoms like pain, headaches, nausea and intolerance to lights and noise.

Yvette and Andrew’s presence brought a deeply personal and impactful voice to the event, helping policymakers better understand the daily realities of managing a long-term, often misunderstood condition. During the event, Yvette and Andrew engaged directly with MPs and Peers, highlighting the life-changing impact ME/CFS can have, not only on those diagnosed, but also on the families and loved ones who provide ongoing care. They spoke about the complexities of caring in a rural setting, as well as the challenges of continuing to run a farm while managing a chronic illness.

Yvette said, “Taking our story and experiences to the Parliamentary event was incredibly important to us. It gave Andrew and I the opportunity to share the reality of living with ME/CFS and what it means to be a carer, something that is often unseen and misunderstood. Speaking directly with MPs and Peers means our voices, and the voices of so many others in similar situations, are being heard where it matters most. Real change can only happen when decision-makers truly understand the impact that ME/CFS has on families like ours.”

The couple shared their lived experience, offering first-hand insight into the physical, emotional and practical challenges of life with ME/CFS. They also emphasised the vital role of strong, supportive communities in helping families cope, and reflected on the realities of sustaining a farming livelihood while adapting to the limitations imposed by the condition.

Their story underlined the need for more recognition, resources and tailored support for unpaid carers, particularly those supporting individuals with long-term conditions like ME/CFS.

Yvette and Andrew spoke with their local MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat), and spent time sharing an insight into their experiences of caring and living with ME/CFS. They also engaged with other MPs, giving them a platform to share their story, including Tess Munt (Liberal Democrat) MP for Wells and Mendip Hills and chair of APPG on ME, and John Lamont (Conservative) MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, plus others.

“We are incredibly grateful to Yvette and Andrew for giving their time and voice to this important cause. Their contribution helped ensure that the realities of ME/CFS and the needs of carers were clearly heard at a government level, helping to inform policy and decision-making,” explains Martine Ainsworth-Wells, trustee and campaigns director at The ME Association.