Support and Counselling for MS Support Services 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 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 this
information is produced from is one of many available at the centre. |
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The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centres :-
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| menu | Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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 ScotlandRatho Park Tel: 0131 335 4050 Opening: 9am-5pm Mon-Fri 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. |
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MuSTER
MS Research Training and Education - MS Research:
Reg. Office:
10 Oakwood Road,
Henleaze,
Bristol, BS9 4NR
MS Research Training and Education: Charity dedicated to research and extending knowledge about MS with the aim of providing better treatment and hastening a cure.
Registered
Charity No: 1043280 |
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MS Healing Trust89 Loxley Avenue 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 |
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| menu | The British Trust of the Myelin Project
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 |
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MS Trust(was the Multiple Sclerosis (Research) Charitable Trust)Spirella
Building 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 |
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The Multiple Sclerosis Resource CentreThe 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. Charity No 1033731 |
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Because it is known that MS can cause much distress to both the sufferer and his/her family, an increasing number of 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 helpline 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. |
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Welfare: 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 ineasing 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. Contact the
Federation of MS Therapy Centres on 01234 325781 to
locate your nearest Centre or see the website |
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