We can be incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together over the last 65 year. In 2020 we’ll launch our next strategy, setting out the difference we want to make in the next five years.
In 1953 Mary and Richard were frustrated. They were frustrated by the lack of treatments, support and services for Mary’s MS. And so they did something about it. They set up a local group – to connect with others and provide mutual support – so they, and those in their community, didn’t have to face MS alone.
Today we have over 270 local groups, an award winning MS Helpline, information and supportive online communities. We've funded and supported vital MS research. We haven’t sat on the fence and we speak up for the things that matter to people living with MS. With our community, we make sure the voices and experiences of people living with MS are heard in the corridors of power.
But there’s still a long way to go. People with MS still face injustices and barriers. If we’re going to tackle these with our community and be what people with MS need now and in the future, we must evolve and improve. Our next strategy sets out our intention and commitment to do just that.
There still aren’t treatments for all people with progressive MS and not only that, they often can’t access vital services and support leaving people with accumulated disability trapped, cut off and isolated. We can see a future where nobody has to worry about their MS getting worse. As we publicly launch our biggest ever Appeal, Stop MS, we’ll take the next steps to drive forward research to improve knowledge and develop treatments to slow and stop MS.
At the moment fundamental clinical care like having access to an MS specialist and treatment still vary depending on where you live across the UK. And Families, friends and carers of people with MS are often forgotten; isolated without support.
We work towards a day when everyone with MS has access to the right information, support and treatments at the right time. And their families, friends and carers feel supported, connected and valued.
The political environment continues to change radically and with it sadly attitudes to people with disabilities have hardened. We hear from people with MS facing hate and discrimination in the streets and online. We can’t control the political environment but we’ll make sure we’re able to adapt and respond quickly – never letting people with MS fall off the agenda. We’ll raise awareness and understanding of MS.
We’ll build on connecting, empowering and mobilising our community on their own terms. As an organisation, we exist for, and part of, the MS community. We’ll root ourselves more firmly into the community, partnering with other organisations and services where we can. Listening to people with MS, learning and shaping things with them.
We’ve come such a long way since Mary and Richard’s first founding group. And we stay true to who we are – always led by the needs and aspirations of people living with MS.
As we move forward with a new strategy, we’ll provide and facilitate help and support now, raise voices and influence change for tomorrow and provide hope that, one day, together we will stop MS.
