Ian Folks, Service Development Officer, Wales

As my wife has MS, I jumped at the chance to become join the Society. 

Service development starts with finding out from people with MS what services they need to access, and what the problems are locally. Then it’s about developing relationships with the right people across health and social care and voluntary sector to make improvements happen. 

People with MS can need various different types of support and services which are responsive to their needs, with professionals who understand the many and varied impacts that MS has. My role is to work with others to develop those services one bit at a time.

I’ve always found that the organisation is always asking itself, ‘What do people need?’, not ‘What is the bottom line?’. It’s very people-centred. My team in Wales is small but close knit, friendly and focussed.

Personally, as someone with both care and parental responsibilities, being home-based and able to work flexible hours makes the world of difference to me and my family.