MS Society announces £50,000 services boost for Northern Ireland
On 21st June The MS Society’s vice-chair and chief executive briefed leading members of the Assembly about a new £50,000 package of research, information and services for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) in Northern Ireland.
Vice-chair Judy Illsley and chief executive Simon Gillespie met representatives of all four parties, including Health committee Chair Iris Robinson MLA and vice Chair Michelle O’Neill, to update members on progress since the charity started a governance review in February.
As part of a major investment package designed to boost the MS community across Northern Ireland, the MS Society revealed that:
Simon Gillespie said:
“Our key goal is to beat MS using all resources available to us, and a close look at what was available in Northern Ireland highlighted how we could improve services and develop our research effort.
“We are now rolling out a significant package of investment to make sure that everyone affected by MS who needs our support can access it, and to ensure people in Northern Ireland can take part in our efforts to push forward research into this devastating condition. Part of this effort means connecting with the decision makers in the Assembly, and we are delighted to have been able to meet MLAs to seek their opinions and advice as we develop the Society’s role here.”
MLAs were also briefed on the next steps in the Society’s governance review, which is about to move into a consultation phase offering all national members the chance to design and vote on the future shape of the charity in Northern Ireland.
Meetings with all branches and support groups in Northern Ireland have already generated valuable input, and all branches will have been seen by the end of June.
As part of a major investment package designed to boost the MS community across Northern Ireland, the MS Society revealed that:
- The UK’s biggest ever MS mapping exercise – the MS Register – is to be launched in Northern Ireland later this year, one of only three pilot sites
- An MS research fellow is to be established in Northern Ireland, in line with efforts across the UK to develop leading-edge expertise in treatment of the condition
- An audit of MS services has revealed a need for more services outside Belfast, with a working group set up to look into providing physiotherapy for people with MS across Northern Ireland
- Access to the MS Society’s resource centre in Belfast is to be improved to offer more people the chance to benefit from its excellent range of resources.
Simon Gillespie said:
“Our key goal is to beat MS using all resources available to us, and a close look at what was available in Northern Ireland highlighted how we could improve services and develop our research effort.
“We are now rolling out a significant package of investment to make sure that everyone affected by MS who needs our support can access it, and to ensure people in Northern Ireland can take part in our efforts to push forward research into this devastating condition. Part of this effort means connecting with the decision makers in the Assembly, and we are delighted to have been able to meet MLAs to seek their opinions and advice as we develop the Society’s role here.”
MLAs were also briefed on the next steps in the Society’s governance review, which is about to move into a consultation phase offering all national members the chance to design and vote on the future shape of the charity in Northern Ireland.
Meetings with all branches and support groups in Northern Ireland have already generated valuable input, and all branches will have been seen by the end of June.