Mission and values

Our mission

Our mission is to enable everyone affected by MS to live life to their full potential and secure the care and support they need, until we ultimately find a cure.

Our aim is to beat MS.

We are led by people affected by MS

People with MS guide our work.

Our volunteers and supporters:

• shape our research programme through our Research Network
• help us provide support locally through our branches and groups
• help us write our publications.

Most of our trustees and council members have a personal connection to MS, either because they have it or a family member does. They are elected by our members.

Through our open meetings, people affected by MS can share their ideas and feed into the decision-making process. At our annual general meeting, we work on the principle of “one member, one vote”, so that everyone has an equal say.

Find out more about becoming a member of the MS Society.

Our work is backed by evidence

We produce accurate information to help people make informed choices. We believe in good science and that everyone has the right to safe and effective treatment.

Find out more about MS research

We are accessible to all

We make sure our information and our events are easily accessible to anyone who needs them, regardless of who they are.

We are impartial

All the information and support we give, and everything we campaign for, is based on real evidence.

We make comments on treatments and services based on this impartial view.

We only work with the pharmaceutical industry when we’re certain it’s in the best interests of people with MS. When we do, we’re open and honest about it. In 2010 only 0.5% of our income came from pharmaceutical companies.

Download our full policy on working with industry.

Our industry supporters will never have any influence over the content of our publications or the research we fund. The Society won’t accept financial or other support from a company to support campaigning activities linked to equity of access to drugs or treatments.

We are open and accountable

We report collaborations and financial contributions received from industry in our yearly financial report and accounts. All our accounts are audited by an independent financial group. 

Download our annual report