We rely on passwords and PIN protection to keep our documents, files, phones and computers safe. It’s vitally important to have strong passwords and to follow our guidance on keeping personal data safe.
What makes a strong password?
A passphrase or a random three-word collection of 12 characters or more is a good start. Choose a phrase that is memorable to you, including numbers and capitals letters (such as 0urV0lunteer$ROCK or Flowers m00n b@th).
Our ambition is to build an inclusive MS Society, where EDI is at the heart of everything we do and where everyone can be themselves. By recognising and respecting all our different lived experiences we’ll be stronger and our voice louder together.
What’s happening with our EDI strategy?
Our Board of Trustees has approved our new corporate EDI strategy and we’ve been developing an implementation plan setting out the concrete actions we will deliver to help drive change. These actions will enable us to embed EDI in everything we do, and be bold in our commitments.
Today we’d like to share some news with you about a change to our Executive Group. Ed Holloway, our Executive Director of Digital and Services, will be leaving the MS Society at the end of the year.
Ed has been with the MS Society for almost 14 years and has become a pillar of support for our volunteers and community, having direct relationships with many volunteers. Helping to shape the support for volunteers across the UK to deliver their services and activities, and of course being an integral part of our monthly Volunteer Voice events. He’ll be greatly missed.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has put extra strain on overstretched health and social care services and made it even harder to access the right treatment and support. It’s therefore more important than ever that the voices of people with neurological conditions are heard.
Our virtual running challenge, the Big MS Run Off, is back this November and we’re calling all MS Superstars to take part.
Join one of our two rival teams of runners from across the country to compete for the glory of running the furthest distance, whilst raising vital funds to help stop MS.
You’ll be led by one of our captains who will keep you motivated and update you on your team’s progress throughout the month, as you clock up the miles together.
We know how much some of you have enjoyed returning to face-to-face social activities in the past few months. And, with October now upon us, we know that organising an end-of-year party may be on your mind. After the isolations of the past 18 months, some of you will be keen to get together for a celebration, whereas others will continue to be more cautious about how they socialise. We want to help you ensure that whatever you might be planning is as safe as possible.
We’ve just opened recruitment for Council Members for our Cymru/Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland Councils, and for a Council Chair for our Cymru/Wales Council. Our National Councils help us reach further into the MS community in each nation of the UK, acting as ambassadors for our cause and enabling people affected by MS to share what matters most to them. Councils help to deliver our strategy and national plans, and contribute to the Board’s understanding of nation-specific priorities and issues.
We’ve known for some time (both from statistical evidence and anecdotally) that volunteer recruitment is one of the biggest worries for local groups. The results of our Volunteer Survey in 2019 also reinforced this. Groups are struggling with recruiting new volunteers, and with diversifying their volunteer population in terms of age, gender and ethnic background.
Last year we renewed our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, in recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement. As part of that commitment, we also marked UK Black History Month for the first time in its long and rich history. We know we’ve been slow to join the movement. But now we have, we’re committed to centring the experiences of our Black MS community within it.
Despite one in six people in the UK living with a neurological condition, neurology services are stretched, underfunded and overlooked. These services were neglected long before the pandemic – but now the situation is critical.
Our community have told us of difficulties in accessing MS and neurology services even before the COVID-19 pandemic. And that delays to appointments and waiting times for services have increased even more due to the effects of the pandemic.
