Tuesday 28 October at 2pm
Go to our portal area to register to join the classes live or to watch the recording
The suggested donation for this session is £7
This is the second session in a two-part series exploring the many ways that connection can support people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Led by Katie Hunter-Waite from Coaching to Contribute, the sessions build on the success of our Building Connections workshops last year, where we discovered just how important it is for people to have the chance to reflect on loneliness, share experiences, and explore strategies for creating meaningful relationships.
Held across two sessions in September and October 2025, the series will focus on two key themes – the role of community in building belonging, and the role of conversation in deepening relationships. Katie will also introduce the broader concept of loneliness, distinguishing it from solitude and isolation, and highlighting why it remains such an important issue for people affected by MS today. Together, we will consider how connection supports our self-esteem, our sense of purpose, and our ability to feel part of something larger than ourselves.
In each session, we aim to reduce the stigma that so often surrounds loneliness by encouraging open and supportive discussions. There will be a balance of presentation and conversation, with opportunities for participants to reflect, share their experiences, or simply listen.
Please note, due to the sensitive nature of the subject, these sessions will not be recorded.
View the recording of this session
This session explored the deep impact of belonging. When people are part of a community, our focus moves outward, opening the door to new relationships and a greater sense of purpose. Community offers us a mirror in which to see our strengths reflected back, while also giving us opportunities to support others. The session draws inspiration from MS-UK’s Peer Pods, which have shown how group connection can foster self-esteem and create meaningful bonds. Together, we’ll reflect on how finding our place within a community can help us grow in confidence and discover renewed sense of purpose.
While community gives us belonging, it is through conversation that relationships truly deepen. Research consistently shows that it’s the quality of our relationships, rather than their number, that makes us feel truly connected. In this session, we will explore what makes a conversation meaningful, the importance of reciprocity in building trust, and how each of us can be a “loneliness ally”, someone who actively creates connection and reduces isolation for those around them. This will be a chance to reflect not only on how we speak, but also on how we listen, and the powerful role that plays in strengthening relationships.
Both sessions are designed to be interactive and participant-led. They begin with a short welcome and a sharing of insights from Katie, before moving into guided discussions where people can reflect together on their own experiences. A short break will give space to pause, and then the group will return for a more open, free-flowing conversation. This structure has proven to be both supportive and energising, balancing evidence with lived experience while giving participants the freedom to explore what connection means in their own lives.
We warmly invite you to join Katie and others for one or both of these sessions. Whether you are looking to build new connections, strengthen existing ones, or simply explore the role of connection in your life, these sessions offer an opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow alongside others. Together, we will take meaningful steps toward reducing loneliness and building a stronger sense of belonging.
Katie Hunter-Waite is a global EMCC-accredited coach, facilitator, and founder of Coaching to Contribute. With a background in senior management and learning & development, she specialises in building resilience, navigating change and challenging the loneliness stigma.
Katie predominantly works in the social impact space, for charities, creative agencies and prisons. On behalf of her clients, she donates 10% of her time to those who share her vision of a more connected, inclusive society, where everyone feels empowered to contribute. In 2024, Katie ran a weekly coaching surgery for MS-UK peer pod volunteers. She now donates her time to SMART WORKS, providing career coaching and interview techniques for women seeking employment.
Katie holds an ICF-accredited Diploma in Transformational Coaching, a degree in Criminology & Psychology and certifications in therapeutic talk, mental health and advertising. In addition to coaching, she is on a mission to confront the stigma around loneliness by giving it a voice in our workplaces, our communities and our homes.
To join this session, please login or register in our Portal area. The session is free to join if you have a monthly or yearly subscription.
You do not need a subscription to join, as you can register and provide a donation for the class. The suggested amount for the class is £7. If you’re unable to make a donation, please follow the instructions within the portal listing to join us for free.
If you would like to know more or you are having trouble registering, please contact us at register@ms-uk.org.
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