East Anglia Region

Welcome to the East Anglia Region MS website

Thank you for visiting us. We have added useful contacts for both health needs and social events.

We hope you enjoy reading about news in the region which covers the counties of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

We now have four new web pages.

• Useful website links
  
  
• Younger People
  
  
• MS can open new doors
  
  
• Diary Page for Meetings, Training and Forums.
  

Please take a look and if you have any useful suggestions or could add anything to improve the pages email Mary.

Exercise and Therapies supported by British Energy!

Thanks to the kind support of British Energy a seated Exercise Class and a variety of other therapies including Reflexology, Reiki, Back Massage, Head and Shoulder Massage, Indian Head Massage and Spiritual Healing are now available on a weekly basis to anyone affected by MS and their carers/supporters.

The treatments are available on a Tuesday morning between 11am and 12.30pm at the Fitness 2000 Centre, South Town Road, Great Yarmouth.
Although the therapies are heavily subsidised there will be a minimal charge of £3 per session to help cover costs.

To book a place or for further details call 01502 514003 (Before 8pm) or 01493 393999 (Requesting a call back).

The seated exercise sessions can be adapted to suit all levels of mobility. As well as helping to improve and maintain fitness levels they are a great way of mixing with other people and having fun. If you live in this area and would like to attend full details can be found on our News and MS Events page.

Do you live in the Norwich/Norfolk Area? - Aged 18 - 25 and have MS?

If so how about having some fun filming?

MS Society Norwich and District Branch has arranged for a group of Young people who have MS to have a filming weekend at BBC Voices at the Forum in Norwich.

All you need to do is either text the Project Manager with your email address on 07903066903 or email me on gloriamorris251@btinternet.com

It will take place over two days - Saturday and Sunday, 9.30am to 4pm. You will learn how to use a camera and the best shots to take, use the studio to do some filming, edit your work and put on credits and music.

We may even start on the Friday with an animation session at the Puppet Theatre if there is enough demand from the group. So why not take this chance to do something just for yourself and have a bit of fun? The date still has to be arranged but it will be in January 2010.

There’s plenty more to life than MS!

http://shiftingms.wordpress.com/

Support Groups for younger people

We are looking at the possibility of setting up support groups for younger people in the region. If you would be interested in joining a group or helping start one, please contact your Local Support Development Officer Teresa Dixon.
Telephone 02084380887
Mobile: 07920547082
Email Teresa Dixon
The newest project is the setting up of a Younger Persons Group in the Huntindon area. Anyone interested in helping here or taking part in the group contact Teresa.

Providing Support Across the Region

Everyone needs a bit of help from time to time. As well as providing an empathic listening ear your local branch Support Officer can provide you with information about what’s available locally, who to contact or where to go for additional support and advice.

There may be a team of support volunteers at your nearest branch, working together effectively to provide a whole range of services to people affected by MS. More and more branches are setting up support teams and this is a wonderfully rewarding way to get involved if you are looking for a volunteer opportunity.
Many of the branches in our region are currently looking for additional support volunteers to help in their areas. Training is provided and ongoing support is available from fellow branch volunteers, regional staff, MS National Centre staff and our regional support mentor, Sue Cottrell.

For more information about the role of Support Officer/Support Volunteer please contact: Teresa Dixon – Local Support Development Officer on 02084380887 or
email Teresa Dixon.

Carers Opportunity Fund

Carers of people with MS are often faced with a number of barriers when considering returning to education or employment. In an attempt to support carers who wish to pursue educational or learning opportunities, the Carers Opportunities Fund can offer financial assistance with course fees and other associated costs. One-off grants of up to £400 are available.
If you would like to find out more or obtain an application form please contact the Grants Team at the National Centre.

Tel: 020 8438 0700 or Email

Wheel and Walk at Hinchingbrooke

The Wheel & Walk at Hinchingbrooke Country Park took place in glorious sunshine on Sunday 28 June. Over 150 people took part in the event on three routes of 2 miles, 3 miles and 6 miles. The crowd were entertained by a local band and display majorettes while there was a barbecue, bouncy castle, face painting and numerous stalls run by the local MS Society branches. There were also guest appearances by gymnast Louis Smith, who won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, Jonathan Djanogly, MP for Huntingdon, and Saeed Akhtar, mayor of Huntingdon.
The MS Society would like to thank Tony Collett for organising Wheel & Walk at Hinchingbrooke Country Park a massive £11,000 was raised. Tony's hard work made this a fantastic event and everybody at the MS Society is extremely grateful for his support.

Next year Wheel and Walk will be on Sunday 20th June - mark it in your calendar and be prepared!