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.

Last year 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.

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.