What is the MS Helpline?
A new telephone system is being installed at the MS National Centre on Friday 11th July. Have you called the MS Helpline in the last 6 months? If so, we'd be very grateful if you could fill in our caller survey. All comments help us to improve our service. Please click here to fill in the survey, or call us to receive a copy of the postal survey.
The Helpline will be closing at midday on Friday 11th July and will re-open on Monday 14th July at 9am.
Because all Helpline workers will not be connected to the new system from the start, the Helpline will have reduced opening hours of 9.00 – 5.00pm for two weeks. Normal opening hours of 9.00am – 9.00pm Monday to Friday will resume from Monday 28th July.
The Helpine email service will be running as normal.
The MS Helpline provides information and emotional support by telephone and email for anyone affected by MS, and it is often a good first point of contact. It is accredited by the Telephone Helplines Association* and consists of paid staff and trained volunteers, who together deal with around 15,000 enquiries a year. You can telephone the freephone number below or click to email the Helpline staff.
What does the MS Helpline do?
Emotional support
For people with MS and those close to them, MS can be distressing and difficult to deal with. The Helpline is there to provide support and a listening ear for anyone affected by MS. Sometimes it can be hard to talk to people close to you, but the helpline aims to provide a non-judgemental listening service by telephone and email.
Information
The MS Helpline provides information to people with MS, their family, friends and carers, as well as professionals who want to find out accurate, evidence-based information regarding MS. All Helpline staff are fully trained in MS-related issues, including:
- the process of diagnosis
- symptoms
- treatments
- coping strategies
- health and social care
- employment
- relationships
- discrimination
- benefits
They have access to the Society’s wide range of free publications, covering many topic areas. These can be sent out following your call.
More support
Where another organisation may be more appropriate to suit your needs, the MS Helpline may be able to refer you on. For example, for legal advice regarding disability discrimination issues, we signpost people on to the Disability Law Service as the helpline is unable to help with individual cases.
We also signpost callers on to other departments within the Society, for example, the MS information centre, research or grants departments. Alternatively, these departments can be contacted on 020 8438 0700.
If you would like to share your experiences of having MS or ask other people affected with MS questions, why not post a message on one of our discussion forums.
