Why support the MS Trust?
The MS Trust is in regular contact with over 35,000 people with or affected by MS. We have helped, and continue to help, thousands of people by providing information, education, research and support.
There are approximately 100,000 people with MS in the UK who need access to information and support. As well as people with and affected by MS, the MS Trust is also in contact with over 6,000 health professionals who look to us for information, education and support in their roles. The MS Trust is an effective and respected advocate for people with MS and is determined to see an improvement in MS services.
We are not the only MS charity, but we are providing services no one else is offering and we are recognised as being the best at what we do.
Why does the MS Trust need your support?
Our Information Service is provided free of charge to the people who need it and, whilst our books and information are distributed widely by the NHS, the MS Trust does not receive any government funding towards this service. Apart from our education courses where we charge a small fee, we rely entirely on the support of donors; people who take part in our fundraising events or organise their own events; grant-making trusts and people who leave a donation in their will.
Without this support we would be unable to provide our services which are vital and very much appreciated by the people who use them.
Where does the money go?
Information Service
The MS Trust firmly believes in helping people with MS now which is why the majority of money received goes towards funding our Information Service.
The Information Service is a personal enquiry service which answers queries from anyone affected by MS including people with MS, their family and friends, and health professionals. The information officers also provide unbiased and independent information which can be individually tailored to the person's needs.
The information team also produce award-winning publications with input from MS specialists on various subjects such as fatigue, posture, continuing to work, bladder and bowel problems, cognitive difficulties, diet and disease modifying drug therapies.
Professional education for health professionals
The MS Trust spends a large proportion of its income on professional education for health professionals who work with people with MS. We organise and subsidise study days which provide professionals with a broad overview of MS and a more in-depth understanding of certain aspects of the disease and related symptom management. The Education Team works with health professionals to identify gaps in MS education and then organises the study days which take place throughout the year and all over the UK. For MS specialist health professionals who are new in post, the MS Trust provides a week long Development Module in Clinical MS which is accredited by Leeds Metropolitan University.
The education team also organise an annual conference which is a unique event in the MS calender. It is attended by over 300 health and social care professionals (including nurses and therapists) who share a commitment to improve MS care. It provides a fantastic opportunity for the attendees to develop their MS expertise, share ideas for innovative practice and network with other professionals.
Research
The MS Trust provides funding for research projects which look at treatments available for people with MS now. Examples of research projects we have funded include a fatigue management programme and functional electrical stimulation (FES) in MS - the use of an electrical stimulator for the leg to make daily activity easier.
Finding a cure for MS is obviously really important and what everyone hopes for, however, as we do not want to duplicate what other MS charities are already doing, we choose to focus on research that will help people with MS now.
Policy and Campaigning
We campaign both at a local level for people with MS to have access to specialist health professionals and at a strategic level to ensure the NHS is planning adequate services for people with MS.
Current MS Trust campaigns include:
- Access to MS specialist nurses and therapists
- Access to disease modifying drugs
- Access to continence services and products
- Access to cannabis based medicines
- NICE clinical guidelines
- National Service Framework for long term health conditions
- Welfare benefits reform