Our Stop MS Annual Lecture for 2024 will be given by Professor Thóra Káradóttir on Thursday 6 June at 7.30pm. Professor Thora Karadottir is a lead of our MS Society Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair. She'll give an insightful talk followed by the chance to ask questions in a panel Q&A with her and our Scientific Ambassadors.
We know that, in an ever-changing world, we need to adapt our systems and processes to meet the needs of our volunteers. We want to support you to make a difference to the MS community and ultimately achieve our vision of a world free from the effects of MS.
We’re therefore introducing a new way for volunteers to manage their own data and access and upload information about their volunteering. This will be done through a Volunteer Management System called Assemble.
An introduction to Project Mead from our Interim Director for Services and Support, Gavin Atkins
I’ve been at the MS Society for just over two months now and have had a chance to meet volunteers and groups that are part of our incredible work. I’m struck by two things: the incredible dedication and commitment shown by the people I meet and the potential to do more for people affected by MS.
Last year we shared an update about our exciting plans to open two new
shops in Greater Manchester. We’re now delighted to share the news that
our shop in Altrincham is now open to the public!
Over the past six months, the Retail Team, supported by many other
colleagues, has been busy bringing the shop to life —from securing and
fitting it out, to creating branding and specialist fixtures. And they’ve
been recruiting a manager and the volunteer team who will help to run
and manage the shop.
We’re all aware of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and our responsibility to protect the privacy of individuals by keeping their personal data safe. GDPR also gives individuals the right to control how we use the personal information they’ve entrusted to us.
So, whenever we collect personal data from an individual, we must give them a summary of how their information will be processed, and for what purposes.
In 2023, we ran a small pilot with local groups to look at how we can offer more help to people living with MS, during the cost of living crisis.
Our Health and Wellbeing Grants don’t cover daily living costs, and the process is designed for more specialised items. So we developed a framework to deliver small one-off grants towards essential cost of living needs.
Funding from trusts and foundations can be a great source of income for groups. But it's really important that you check in with your Community Fundraiser (via [email protected]) before making an application or approaching any trusts or foundations.
Each March over 300 MS nurses gather in Leicestershire for their three-day conference run by the MS Trust. Joining our Information Team Editor Richard on the MS Society stand this year was our MS Helpline Officer, Harshil.
Harshil’s mission was to make sure the nurses know about the many services our MS Helpline provides, from its legal, benefits and physical activity advisors to our own three MS nurses. One of these, Liz, was a conference delegate herself, there to catch up on the latest developments in MS.
On the first Tuesday of every month, at around 3pm, our Health and Safety Officer will join the weekly Zoom drop-in hosted by the Volunteer Support Team (VST).
Summer is fast approaching and we’re looking forward to our MS Walks returning this year in Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester. Plus there's a new walk in Birmingham!
The walks couldn't happen without the generosity of our volunteers. If you can give some of your time to help at an MS Walk, we’d love to hear from you. We have various times and roles available throughout the day. There are no specific skills required — just enthusiasm and a can-do attitude.
Please find the links below to get in touch and find out more about volunteering at a walk near you.
