|| Regional Essentials
There are 8 'essential' activities that must be addressed through the regional planning process. The North of England Region's progress in delivering all these 'essential' activities is as follows:
- Newsletter
The region circulates a newsletter to all members. Its contents include details of regional planning, upcoming events, successes in the region and examples of good practice (e.g. aspects of the Branch Essentials).
- Website
The region has developed its own MS Society accredited website, linked to the MS Society's main website. It provides an Internet gateway to MS resources in the region.
- Annual Regional Conference
The region plans and organises a conference or general meeting and invites all branches and the wider MS community.
- Maps and Directory of Key MS Contacts
The region is developing and will circulate simple up-to-date maps of key MS contacts across the region. A directory listing the main health, social care and support services for people with MS will accompany these maps.
- Partnerships with Health and Social Services
The Regional Committee has established a Sub-Committee specifically to develop and implement strategy, agreed with MSNC, on work to improve health and social care for people with MS. The Sub-Committee involves new regional volunteers and links formally with the regional committee and with the pilot Professional Partnership Forum.
- Host Standard Training Events
The region identifies suitable venues and provides a regional host, for standard training events (currently: Providing Support and Welcome Aboard).
- Welfare Forum
The region has a Welfare Sub-Committee specifically to encourage networking between branch welfare volunteers and provide opportunities for peer support and joint working. The Regional Welfare Contact helps the Sub-Committee run networking forums for welfare volunteers.
- Support Branches in Undertaking the Essentials
The region receives the Branch Essentials forms, checks for accuracy and develops a regional strategy to support branches based on identified need. It motivates branches, promotes good practice, breaks down any barriers and encourages branches to move beyond Essentials.
