Lochgilphead MS Therapy Centre

Karen

Services provided

The Campbell Street Centre

Mid Argyll has a high incidence of People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS), 333 per 100,000 population,(l in 300). The national average is 80 per 100,000. Statutory services in this rural area are sporadic and very poor, offering no practical support in coping with this long-term challenge.

Mid Argyll Friends of ARMS (Action and Research for Multiple Sclerosis) was established 15 years ago by a group of people with MS and their carers. They raised funds locally by staging community events to build a therapy centre in 1996.

The Campbell Street Centre was built with the view to providing a vital link in care in the community between the Voluntary Sector and the consumers at whom this care is directed.

 The Centre was deliberately designed with spare capacity in order that future demands could be met, with wheelchair accessible facilities, a physiotherapy room with disabled access shower and toilet, a hoist system, meeting rooms and a small kitchen.

 The main aim of the Centre is to enable people to cope with disability within the community offering therapies, practical advice and support. The therapies offered are not cures but often result in the stabilising of the condition and so avoid repeated medical treatment.

Mid Argyll Friends of ARMS offer the following services, at the Campbell Street Centre, to PwMS:

The Centre involves over 30 volunteers who operate the HBO Chamber on a daily basis and provide friendship and support to those attending the Centre.

Mid Argyll Friends of ARMS has grown from a monthly meeting group for people with MS and their carers, through to the building of a Centre run by local volunteers, raising funds in the community, into a professional organisation requiring a full time manager with part time administrative support.

It is a valuable community resource providing not only support for people with MS but also a regular meeting place for other selfhelp groups and voluntary organisations.

These include a weekly coffee morning for senior citizens, regular meetings of support groups for cancer, autism, epilepsy, church groups, carers, Slimmers, tai chi, pipe band and many more. The community continues to support wholeheartedly our fund raising events.

Funding the running of the Centre is an ongoing task. We are most grateful for the support we receive both in the form of donations and in volunteer time. If you would like to help in any way, please contact either Karen or Maggie on 01546 606303 during office hours.

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