Wessex and West Region

Details of the Annual Conference 2008 held in Bristol, included in November 2008 Newsletter.


1. Barbara Williams.
Director of Operations, MS Society.
Download presentation given at Annual Conference, from .pdf documents below.

2. Pam Richards
Personalisation Coordinator for the South West Region.
Download presentation given at Annual Conference, from .pdf documents below.

The Committee have been pleased to welcome branch members to their meetings, and we hope it has given an insight into the working of the Committee. If anyone has any burning issues they want to raise, either by email or in person, they are more than welcome to attend (just tell us in advance if you want to come along, so we can arrange to feed you!) The next “roving” meeting will be in July, and this time we will head to the north of the region, so I will be in touch with the branches in that area in due course to arrange a possible venue!

Launched at the 2006 AGM, BRANCHOUT is a major programme that will transform the way support services for people affected by MS are delivered locally. People affected by MS want services, information and support aimed directly at them, whatever their circumstances. Therefore, it is the aim of the MS Society that everyone’s needs are met within a reasonable distance of where they live, beyond the restrictions of branch boundaries. BRANCHOUT gives us the tools and ideas as to how these services are delivered without increasing the workload of the many dedicated volunteers who make the branches in the Wessex & West region successful.

The BRANCHOUT programme will begin in the autumn which will mean there will more initiatives and services springing up in 2008 for people affected by MS. The process has already begun in the Devon & Cornwall region; some of the initiatives include Parent & Toddler groups, Young persons groups, Tai Chi classes, Yoga classes, Physiotherapy exercise classes, Advocacy Work, Carers Groups, a wider range of information events etc.

To achieve our aims and transform local support services, we must work together to BRANCHOUT into the wider MS community.

Jacqui Buckley

Contibutions from branches and individuals are always welcome. Keep your news and views coming - this is your newsletter and you should keep it so, by contributing news of branch successes, comments on current issues, suggestions, photos (digital), complaints, whatever!

Email: Deb Cowap