Free MS awareness session for social prescribers!

Are you a social prescriber? Do you work with community link workers? Are you a community or village agent? Or a community connector? Then we have a free multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness session for you.

You’re probably asking why your team needs this MS awareness session.

Well, did you know that multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological condition in younger, working-aged adults? It is estimated that there are over 130,000 people in the UK who live with MS.

As well as having the potential to impact on physical ability, affecting mobility, balance, strength and coordination, MS symptoms are often ‘invisible’. Invisible symptoms such as fatigue, and issues with bladder or bowel or cognition can impact aspects of daily living, employment, activities, relationships and overall wellbeing. Nearly three-quarters of respondents to a 2018 MS-UK survey told us that they experienced issues relating to loneliness and isolation.

People living with MS also have higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general population. Combine all these social, physical, and mental health factors and it highlights why people with MS may need support from community organisations and social prescription services.

A previous participant of one of our MS awareness sessions said their biggest take away was

We know that social prescribers, community connectors, GP care advisers and other voluntary community and social enterprise sector workers play a key role in supporting wellbeing outcomes for their communities. MS-UK want to share our knowledge to help you do exactly that.

The session will: explain ‘what is MS?’, look at myths and preconceptions, highlight symptoms that may impact on wellbeing and give symptom self-management tips. We will outline the kind of support that people with MS may need on their MS journey.

All MS-UK’s work is driven by our values and includes real voices of people living with MS. This session will be delivered by a member of our team in partnership with a volunteer with lived experience of MS.

When the session is over, we expect that participants will have a better understanding of how they can support people on their MS journey. They will have more knowledge of the condition and MS specific resources (both online and in the community) that will be useful for the social prescriber’s ‘community mapping toolkit’.

Please book through our Eventbrite page. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link and login details for your chosen date.

There are limited places available – book now!

Wednesday 30 November 2022 10am -11.30am
Friday 02 December 2022 10am -11.30am

If you can’t make these sessions or feel that you or your team need a comprehensive understanding of multiple sclerosis, MS-UK has a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited MS Awareness eLearning course. This course is aimed at workers and volunteers who may support people affected by MS.

This course is written by professionals for professionals, so once completed, learners will have a thorough understanding of MS and be able to support those affected. The cost of the course is £20 per learner. Discounted rates for group bookings are available upon request. For more information, email learning@ms-uk.org or call 01206 226500.