MS Awareness Week is coming – share your story

Posted by & filed under MS News.

24-30 April is MS Awareness Week when many of the national and local MS charities and organisations come together to raise awareness and share information.  We know that together we can make more noise and raise more awareness of the impact MS can have.

This year the theme is Mental Health. Many people may be aware of the physical aspects of MS but there are many ways in which a diagnosis can affect mental health too.

Join the #MSMakesMe campaign and share your story

Help raise awareness of the reality of life with MS. During this year’s MS Awareness Week, MS charities will be talking about how MS makes you feel, think or act, whether you have MS yourself or care for someone who does.  Does MS make you scream, feel brave, tired, positive, worried for the future, or hopeful? We know it’s different for everyone and we want to hear from you.

Covid booster vaccine available for most vulnerable

Posted by & filed under Information.

The NHS in England is launching a spring booster vaccine campaign against Covid-19 for people most at risk of serious illness from the disease.

Around five million are eligible, including people aged 75 and over, some people with weakened immune systems, and older residents in care homes.

From this week, older adults in care homes are expected to begin receiving their vaccines, given by visiting NHS teams.

Other eligible people will be able to receive jabs from mid-April.

Bookings for those appointments will open on Wednesday 5 April.

Millions of invitations will be sent through the NHS App, alongside texts messages and letters for those without the app or not actively using it.

To find out more, visit the BBC website

For Sale – Motoflex fully adjustable motorised bed

Posted by & filed under Information.

Motoflex fully adjustable motorised bed.  Fully adjustable leg and upper body.  Luxurious mattress with zipped fully washable cover.  Ultra quiet motors.  Easy to use controls. 2ft 6.  French company, very expensive!!   I have 2 of them.  I can sell 1 or both together.  Individual mattresses so each side can be operated independently.  Both beds can clip together to make a kingsize.  Belonged to my parents. Open to offers and can deliver locally.

Please contact Sue Doran, Centre Manager

 

Could you be eligible to save money on your broadband?

Posted by & filed under Information.

Broadband social tariffs are special discounted deals available for certain low-income customers. They’re generally cheaper than typical broadband tariffs, starting at just £12 per month. They also usually aren’t subject to price rises or exit fees.

Social tariffs are designed to act as a safety net for households that may otherwise struggle to afford broadband services. Research by the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has shown that an estimated 4.2 million households in the UK are eligible but many people who are eligible do not know about the tariffs and so do not take up the offer.

Who is eligible for social tariffs?

You’re likely to be eligible for a social tariff if you receive a means-tested state benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or equivalents.

The exact requirements depend on the broadband provider in question – some only offer social tariffs to Universal Credit recipients, while others extend eligibility to those on Council Tax Support, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.

Those who receive Guarantee Credit (a top-up to Pension Credit) are also usually eligible. Some providers also offer social tariffs to vulnerable households that receive non-means-tested benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment.

How to find out more

There is lots of information on the Which website

You can also find out more on the Money Saving Expert website

Stress and MS, MS Society webinar – 13 April

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

We know some people with MS often find stress impacts their condition in some way. It’s impossible to avoid it completely, but stress affects a body’s ability to fight disease, which is why it’s important to learn ways to manage it as much as possible. 

This webinar will feature Dr. Rachel Hunter from Swansea University. Rachel is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, passionate about sharing lifestyle approaches to illness with others. She will also be joined by volunteer Steve Rose, a trained psychotherapist. The panel will be sharing the importance of recognising your stress and learning ways to manage it. 

Date: Thursday 13 April

Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm

This session is organised by the national MS charity, the MS Society. You can find out more about them by visiting their website at www.mssociety.org.uk

Click here to book now

Tesco Abingdon volunteers – thank you!

Posted by & filed under Fundraising.

Thank you for all our volunteers who collected small change at Tesco Abingdon on 18th March.  Together they raised: £487.55.  Many thanks to: Susan, Adrian, Andy and Julia, Geoff, Alison, Jenny, Shelagh, Dave and Jill for giving up their time.  It is very much appreciated.  With some of the money we will be purchasing some new towels and a towel rail for the massage room and a new face cradle and covers for the massage table.  Thanks to all 🙂

MS Society react to Government Welfare plans

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

Last week the UK Government announced their biggest planned changes for disability benefits in a decade. National charity the MS Society has looked at the potential impacts on people with MS.

On a positive note, the UK Government will start testing the use of specialist assessors for specific health conditions. This means people with MS might no longer have to explain the basics of MS to their assessors. The Government will also test automatically sharing assessment reports with claimants before a decision has been made. The Energy Price Guarantee has also been extended until June, something which many charities had been campaigning for.

Less positively, more people could face work-related requirements. This means more people with MS could be made to carry out inappropriate work-related activityor face the threat of losing their financial support. Also there has been no commitment to increase benefit rates at a time when many people with MS on benefits are struggling with the cost of living.

The MS Society also has concerns about changes to Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) assessments.

You can read the full article and about ongoing associated campaigns on the MS Society website

Read the full article here

What Next? Newly Diagnosed MS Society Information Webinar – 5 April

Posted by & filed under MS Society Local Branch.

Who is this event for?

  • People who are newly diagnosed with MS.
  • Family or friends of those who have been newly diagnosed with MS

The programme

In the webinar and the following week’s conversational group, they’ll help you to start making sense of your diagnosis. They will provide you with the information and signposting to further support and guidance that you may need. The MS society hope through these sessions that they will empower you to live well with MS. These sessions are for you if:

  • You’re looking for ways to make sense of your diagnosis
  • You don’t know what information and support is available to you

Date: Wednesday 5 April

Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm

This session is organised by the national MS charity, the MS Society. You can find out more about them by visiting their website at www.mssociety.org.uk

Click here to book now

Another fantastic Quiz night!

Posted by & filed under Fundraising.


The quiz night took place on Friday and was a great success.  We were at maximum capacity with 115 people, 19 teams.  We had some irish dancers from the O’Gara /O’Shea school of Irish Dance, perform for us as well.  We raised a total of £1939 which is fantastic.  Some photos of the evening are attached.