Category Champion
David Potter
MS Society, Information Services Manager

Assessors
Jean Crosbie, Adrian Gain, Sara Holloway and Lynda Lee

Shortlisters
Paul Bull, Malcolm Davey, John Renshaw and Armelle Vieira

Judges
Carolyn Atkinson, James Gray MP and Ann Hodgson

The winner is...

Meet the Scientists
Nominated by: David Baker BSc Phd

Dr Sandra Amor introduced ‘Meet the Scientists’ when she noticed a number of people affected by MS were attending her presentations. Face-to-face contact allows people with MS to ask questions of scientists or to share their stories. The scientists represent a mix of disciplines and are chosen for their ability to explain complex concepts straightforwardly and for having a good rapport.
 

The judges highly commended ...

Copeland MS Society website and newsletter
www.mssociety.org.uk/copeland  
Nominated by: Susan Etchells

A website and newsletter set up to distribute information in the area of the Copeland MS Society branch. It was set up because the nominee found it difficult to find information on events, treatments and contacts when she moved in to the area. It is aimed mainly at young people, and those who are newly diagnosed, who sometimes prefer to access information in the privacy of their own home rather than discuss their condition in public.

Enabled by Design
www.enabledbydesign.org/  
Nominated by: Chloe George

At present this is a blog-based resource designed by a young woman with MS in order to share information on user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing items of assistive equipment. It also aims to influence the design process to become more inclusive by communicating with both designers and users. The site only went live in November 2008 but there are already plans to develop it in to a powerful web-based resource.  

Shortlisted for an award were ...

Knowledge Centre
Nominated by: Mick Bond

The Knowledge Centre is the first development of an information centre for people with neurological conditions run alongside an NHS staff resource centre. The centre is situated just inside the entrance of a new neurological rehabilitation hospital opened in 2008. The Knowledge Centre covers MS, dystonia, brain injury and stroke. There is a huge amount of information available to patients, visitors and staff. The centre also has computers with infection controlled keyboards and adjustable desks.

MS in Greater Manchester website
http://www.msingreatermanchester.nhs.uk/
Nominated by: Megan Burgess

This website was set up by the MS Nurse Consultant following an MS Management Audit which identified gaps in the provision of information about local services. The website gives details of local MS services, as well as information about events and courses (both for people affected by MS and for professionals), details of research trials and links to other bona fide and relevant websites.

North West Information Points
Nominated by: Ken Johnson

Information points are spaces which display information on MS in places that people with MS visit. These three points in Wigan, Trafford and Chester came from a partnership between three MS Therapy/ Support/ Community Centres, MS Society branches, the MS Trust and others. They consist of written material, DVDs and internet access and are staffed by trained volunteers with extensive experience of MS.  

Also nominated were...

Martin Carruthers
John Chipperfield
Annette D'Acuña and her welfare team
Kostas Grivas
"Here's Johnny" (Documentary by Animal Monday)
MS Society Library Database
New Pathways Magazine
Research Matters Magazine
Stuart Resource Centre and Members
www.just4joco.co.uk