About Us

ME RESPITE, formerly known as Rest Assured Respite Charitable Trust, was founded in 2016 by Wendy Matthews, Phil Letford, and Mel Mason with the goal of supporting individuals living with ME/CFS and FM. Wendy, with her nursing background, had a vision of establishing a respite centre for those affected by these conditions. Phil, an accountant with a family member who had ME/CFS, and Mel, a retired business owner aware of the lack of respite care, shared this vision. The trio quickly gained financial and practical support from others who were eager to help bring the project to life.

Initially, the organisation focused on providing ready-to-heat meals and supermarket deliveries. However, it became evident that many of the recipients were facing financial challenges, with access to nutritious food being essential for their recovery. Recognising this, ME RESPITE secured partnerships with food providers, allowing them to distribute high-quality, donated food directly to those in need. Over the years, additional services were introduced to further ease the financial burden of acquiring wholesome food and groceries for recipients.

In 2018, ME RESPITE expanded its efforts by opening its first op shop, The Charity Boutique in Howick, to support the organisation's administrative activities and raise awareness within the community. A second store, The Charity Corner, was opened in Mt Roskill, which also served as a hub for the organisation’s MEals initiative.

In 2024, the Trust rebranded to ME RESPITE to better reflect its holistic approach and wide range of services. Along with the rebrand, the organisation adopted a set of core values to guide its work and emphasise its commitment to serving the ME/CFS and FM communities in a meaningful and impactful way.