Northern Ireland Council

Our MS Society Northern Ireland Council works on behalf of people living with MS in Northern Ireland.

Council members work alongside our staff team in Northern Ireland, as well as with our local groups to stop MS.

The Council is ultimately accountable to our Board of Trustees.

Meeting dates

Our meeting dates for 2024 are:

Friday 22 March
Friday 21 June
Friday 30 August
Friday 8 November

Meetings (except for occasional confidential items) are open to MS Society members. If you’d like to join a Northern Ireland Council meeting online, please contact us by email at [email protected]

Meet our Northern Ireland Council members

A photo shows Siobhan smiling in front of a white background

Siobhan Allister

My name is Siobhan and I have been living with MS for 12 years. I have been involved with the Fermanagh MS Group for 12 years, and in 2018, I was awarded a BEM for my services to the community.

I have been on the Northern Ireland Council for 6 years and I am a representative for the MS Society, run by the health commissioners. I am the Coordinator, Support Volunteer and Health & Safety officer for the Fermanagh group. To date, I have raised over £85,000 for the MS community.

My interest at heart is always the MS community and I strive to create positive change by supporting those newly diagnosed during their waiting time to see a neurologist.

Campaigning for MS awareness is incredibly important to me. I am also an advocate for mental health awareness, as I know how isolated and vulnerable people can feel, especially in the current circumstances.

A photo shows Iain smiling and wearing sunglasses outside in the sun

Iain Crosbie

I was diagnosed with MS in 2004.

In my working life I was a Senior Project Manager for a large multinational Company and worked in Europe and North America until my medical retirement in 2009.

I felt my skills in managing diverse, multicultural and multilingual projects have some relevance to the council activities, as well as my understanding of governance and compliance issues.

In previous roles I have been a Branch Chair, Research Network Member (and continue to be) and also served previous 2 terms on the Northern Ireland Council.
Working with the Council team again would be my privilege.

Philippa Donnelly

I was diagnosed with MS in June 2017, aged 24. It can be easy for people to fall into negative thoughts about MS and what the future might hold.

As a council member, I want to encourage others to focus on the good and not let a diagnosis of MS change their expectations on what they can achieve in life.

I’m passionate about our campaigns, giving a voice to those with MS in Northern Ireland. I have MS, but MS does not have me.

Tom Hunter (Vice Chair)

I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS over 11 years ago.

I used to work in London in the city as a broker. After being diagnosed I retrained as a counsellor and psychotherapist. I set up the volunteer counselling service for the MS Society Northern Ireland and I commit 14 hours a week to the service.

In 2017 I was awarded the MS Society Volunteer of the Year which I feel very honoured to have won.

I've previously served on the Northern Ireland Council for six years and found it extremely rewarding. I see people with MS as my family and I will do everything I can to enable them to have a fulfilling life.

A photo of Anna in her graduation gown in front of The Queen's University of Belfast gates

Anna Magennis

I was diagnosed with rapidly evolving relapsing-remitting MS in October 2012, shortly after I turned 16. Growing up with MS has given me a unique perspective. MS is an incredibly isolating illness for many. But young people have to navigate school, university and gaining independence.

At the age many people are experiencing their first symptoms, I have 10 years of experience that I hope can help other younger people. I am currently studying a Masters in Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast and my research is focused on repairing the damage caused by MS.

Sheena has long blonde hair and wears a dark coat

Sheena McBriar

My 2018, secondary progressive MS diagnosis, is managed alongside my post thyroid cancer condition.

Despite this massive "life interruption", my passion for the arts and love of fun has not been extinguished!

Previously, my professional background was rooted in education. Additional freelance work in the community and business sectors, followed on from me setting up the first arts-based training company in Northern Ireland, 26 years ago!

At this stage, by reinterpreting my skills, there is exciting potential to contribute and make a difference to our experience of this complex MS condition, with its many invisible symptoms.

Sheenagh McVeigh

From a young age MS has played a part in my life. I've been a carer, daughter and friend to those living with MS. From personal experience, I know that everyone's MS is truly different and personal.

I worked as Learning and Development Manager, encouraging people to reach their full potential. I have a positive outlook and focus on what I can do - the glass is very much half full!

I'm a Research Network member. MS treatments and services have improved greatly in the last 40 years. As a Council Member I'm passionate that our voices are heard, that we have access to the latest treatments, services and research, and that we have a supportive and engaging MS community.

Shaun Paskin

My name is Shaun, and I was diagnosed with MS before my 18th birthday in 2005.

Growing up with MS has allowed me to have a unique insight into my own health, but also how it affects others.

I've been volunteering for the MS Society since 2007, initially with my local group in England as Group Coordinator and then briefly as an England Council Member. Since relocating to Northern Ireland in 2022, It's been a passion of mine to rekindle my relationship with the MS Society and it’s an honour to work with the Northern Ireland Council.