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The information on this page is the result of co-operation between the MS charities with a shared concern to improve the standard of information readily available to people who have MS, their families and professional carers. They also believe they have a responsibility to ensure that accurate and helpful information is presented with understanding of the range of differing needs that exist throughout the MS population. The leaflet from which this information is produced from is one of many available at the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres.

A range of charities provide support services for people affected by multiple sclerosis (including friends, families and professionals). Click on each name to see a description provided by each charity of the support which they offer.

The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres:-
Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres (Scotland)
MS National Therapy Centres (England and Wales)

The Multiple Sclerosis Society
M S Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
M S Society Scotland

Other organisations
M S Research Trust
MS Research Training and Education
MS Healing Trust
The British Trust of the Myelin Project
The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre

Counselling and Welfare

The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres

The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres provide treatment, care and support for all people with MS and their families. These include: physiotherapy; nutritional advice; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; speech therapy; continence advice; yoga, etc. in order to maintain and improve their lifestyle. These Centres provide a wide range of drug-free symptom management therapies as well as advice and support for all those with the illness and their families.

There are two divisions:-

Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres Scotland)

Colin Armour (secretary)
Duncrievie House
College Road
Methven
Perth
PH1 3PB
01738 840357
mstcs31@yahoo.co.uk
                                                     
Liz Armour (chairwoman)
Duncrievie House
College Road
Methven
Perth, PH1 3PB
01738 840357
mstcs31@yahoo.co.uk

Website:- www.mstherapycentres.org.uk

Activities/Services: A network of 11 local support groups which aims to enhance the quality of life of people with MS and to support research. All provide Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, plus where possible physiotherapy, yoga, remedial massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, swimming, counselling and advice on diet, continence etc. in friendly, sociable surroundings.

Individual Centres - see Contact Details
Scottish Charity No: SCO21369

and
MS National Therapy Centres (England and Wales)
Email:- info@ms-selfhelp.org
Website:- www.ms-selfhelp.org

Activities/Services: Therapy Centres throughout England and Wales, organising: training for professional staff; literature and information; standards etc.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland MS Society

MS National Centre
372 Edgware Road
London
NW2 6ND Tel: 020-8438-0700 (Helpline open 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday)
Fax: 020-8438-0701
E-mail: info@www.mssociety.org.uk
Web Site: http://www.mssociety.org.uk

Activities/Services: An organisation of and for people with multiple sclerosis, with nearly 400 voluntary branches and a research commitment of 9 million. National services include: respite care homes; financial assistance; Helpline and information services. Local services include: day centres; transport schemes; physiotherapy; support and home visits; and regional telephone counselling.
Registered Charity no: 207495

Multiple Sclerosis Society in Scotland
Ratho Park
88 Glasgow Road
Ratho Station
Newbridge
Edinburgh
EH28 8PP Tel: 0131 335 4050
Fax: 0131 335 4051
Website:- www.mssocietyscotland.org.uk
Opening: 9am-5pm Mon-Fri

Activities/Services: Funds research into finding the cause of MS and a cure for it. Provides for the welfare of people with MS and their families through over 40 branches in Scotland; see records for details of the local branches. List of publications. MS Telephone Counselling Service 0808 800 8000 from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday.

Other organisations

MS Research
MS Research Training and Education
Reg. Office: 10 Oakwood Road,
Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4NR
Website:- MS Research

Activities/Services: Charity dedicated to research and extending knowledge about MS with the aim of providing better treatment and hastening a cure.
Registered Charity No: 1043280

MS Healing Trust
89 Loxley Avenue
Shirley
Solihull
West Midlands B90 2QL
Tel: 0121 744 7167 / 0121 733 8982
Fax: 0121 733 8982

Activities/Services: Weekly clinic in Shirley attended by registered medical doctor and 8 qualified complementary therapists. Treatments and advice include: diet, massage, reflexology, counselling, aromatherapy etc. The aim of the clinic is to give potential of better quality of life now. Education is of prime importance.
Registered Charity No: 1000223

The British Trust of the Myelin Project
4 Cammo Walk
Edinburgh EH4 8AN
Tel: 0131 339 1316
Fax: 0131 317 1606
Website: http://www.myelin.org

Activities/Services: A medical charity, our research aims to reduce the level of disability caused by damaged myelin. Myelin is attacked in multiple sclerosis and the leukodystrophies. We are active in fund-raising and establishing work-groups providing local points of contact. Research updates and information on current treatments are sent on request.
Registered Charity No: 1000614

MS Research Trust (was the Multiple Sclerosis (Research) Charitable Trust)
Spirella Building
Bridge Road
Letchworth
Herts. SG6 4ET
Tel: 01462 476713
Fax: 01462 476710
email info@mstrust.org.uk
website: http://www.mstrust.org.uk 

Activities/Services: Providing positive information about MS, especially for those newly diagnosed. Funding research into ways of improving the lives of people with MS now. Information service for all, and education programme for health professionals.
Registered Charity No: 1088353

The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre
Patron Alastair Hignell
Website http://www.msrc.co.uk

Activities/Services: The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) is a proactive and innovative charity, passionately committed to supporting anyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis through access to unbiased information and advice. Our approach is to encourage individuals to make choices that are appropriate to their daily lives, empowering them to maximise their potential.
Registered Charity No 1033731

Counselling and Welfare

COUNSELLING
 Because it is known that MS can cause much distress to both the sufferer and his/her family, an increasing number of Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres offer confidential face-to-face counselling to help deal with the emotional effects and concerns which living with MS (or living with an MS person) can bring.

It is recognised that mind and body are inseparable, what affects one invariably affects the other. Hence it is equally as important to provide help and support for the emotional aspects of MS as for the physical effects and the symptoms. That emotional stress often manifests itself in body symptoms is a medically recognised fact, similarly that illness and body changes have an effect upon feelings and emotions.

When MS is newly diagnosed, or new symptoms appear, it is especially important to avoid a "downward spiral" in which feelings about the body cause emotional disturbance which in turn may worsen the body conditions.

The thoughts and feelings that MS provokes can be difficult to handle within the family situation where each member is affected in different ways. Confidential counselling provided by a qualified professionally trained, Counsellor offers time and space for these feelings and concerns to be identified, considered, explored, evaluated and understood and to help people get back in touch with a better sense of themselves.

Counselling at a Centre involves meeting with the same Counsellor regularly for as long as it continues to be helpful. Weekly or fortnightly meetings are typical and sessions will be usually of one hour each. Sessions provide a safe, unpressured, calm and uncritical environment in which problems can be thought through and progress made toward working them out.

The MS Society telephone counselling (0808-800-8000) provides a help-line available from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday in crisis or times of unexpected stress when it is important to talk to someone who knows about and understands MS. It will of course not necessarily be the same Counsellor answering the phone every time.

Above all, there is enormous value and comfort to be gained by simply coming to a Centre and meeting and talking to other men and women who share the same problems and experiences as yourself. A positive attitude to managing MS is an essential ingredient for success in dealing with the disease - generating this is much easier with such friendly associations.
Welfare:

WELFARE
The practical problems that MS causes in the lives of you and your family can often be eased by obtaining advice on welfare rights and facilities to help in disability. Centres are able to provide MS people with guidance and the information they need to access the various forms of assistance obtainable (including statutory aid from, for example, the DSS) both locally and nationally.

Ask your Centre first (it will not be the first time your query has arisen), they will have the answer from the accumulated knowledge of dealing with MS questions over many years and from keeping up to date with changes in the "rules" Other Services:

Many Centres also provide additional therapies and facilities which may assist in easing MS symptoms, aiding mobility or making life more enjoyable. These can include speech therapy, chiropody, continence advice, yoga, reflexology, aroma therapy, massage, the loan of equipment etc.

To contact MS Therapy Centres in Scotland see below
In England and Wales email info@ms-selfhelp.org